The Third Annual Healing Arts Tribute and Exhibition: Open Hearts and Minds can Transform Fear and Hatred, will begin Friday, Nov. 9 and continue with events through Nov. 17.
On Friday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Adams Art Gallery in Dunkirk, Ralph Sirianni will present the opening event, the “Eye Witnessed: Faces of Humanity” portrait workshop. Although the workshop by Mr. Sirianni is designed for student and community artists who have pre-registered, observers are welcome at the workshop and exhibition. He is an award recipient for his police/courtroom sketches and a creative arts therapist for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo. His work is exhibited at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Gallery and Museum. The reception will include refreshments. For more information, interested persons should contact the gallery at 716-366-7450.
On Saturday, Nov. 10 from 1:30 until 3 p.m., in Fenton Hall Room 105 on the SUNY Fredonia campus, there will be a screening of, “The Loretta Claiborne Story,” a Disney-produced movie. Ms. Claiborne, winner of the ESPY (ESPN) Arthur Ashe Courage Award, will be available to provide commentary about the film. The event is free to campus and community, but donations may be made to the Special Olympics. At 4 p.m. that afternoon at the Adams Art Gallery, there will be a Healing Arts exhibition and in-person tribute by local Special Olympians to Ms. Claiborne, who will show a short DVD of her life and provide commentary. Exhibits will include a tribute to the Special Olympics, and refreshments will be served. Donations will accepted for Special Olympics and the Adams Art Gallery.
Also on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 6:30 until 7:45 p.m., in Fenton Hall Room 105 at SUNY Fredonia, keynote speakers including Ms. Claiborne, and Drs. Gary and Becky Ladd, will make presentations. The Ladds will speak about preventative intervention for teasing, bullying and exclusion. The couple has received federal grants and are authors of major papers and publications on topics related to risk and protective factors in school adjustment, including the influence of peer relationships, friendships, and bully/victim interactions. Dr. Gary Ladd obtained his doctorate in Human Development and Educational Psychology at the University of Rochester and is currently associate director at Arizona State University’s School of Social and Family Dynamics and continues his certification as a School Psychologist in New York State. Dr. Becky Ladd obtained her doctorate in Educational Psychology and Statistics and Measurement at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently an associate professor in the School of Social and Family Dynamics and a faculty member in the Department of Educational Psychology at Arizona State University.
The series continues with a presentation on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., at Adams Art Gallery by Cara Seekings, entitled, “Life’s Greatest Challenge – Death.” Through meditation, personal rites development, and interactive exercises, participants and observers can explore common fears and beliefs about dying and learn the importance of living lives fully and with passion during this workshop. Ms. Seekings is a Registered Professional Clinical Nurse Specialist in Thanatology and a practicing hypnotherapist. She is also a professional art quilter and will exhibit her work with the Faery Frond Quilts guild at the Healing Arts Exhibition. A reception will include refreshments.
The series concludes on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at Adams Art Gallery with a presentation by Lori Rothfus on “The Power of Healing Art and the Mandala.” Those attending will learn about her personal and professional experiences with the healing arts as well as explore the significance of and help make a community “Mandala collage” as a means of creative arts healing. Ms. Rothfus, a social worker for 20 years, now offers healings arts classes and workshops. She has offered programs for the New York State and Chautauqua County Mental Health offices, Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua County Arts Council, The Resource Center, and the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program. Refreshments will also be served.
Sponsors for the 2007 Healing Arts series include SUNY Fredonia, the Carnahan-Jackson Fund for the Humanities of the Fredonia College Foundation, the Office of the Dean of Natural and Social Sciences and the Department of Psychology at the university, Access to the Arts/Adams Art Gallery, and the Chautauqua County Special Olympics Committee.
