LIVING MUSEUM Creedmoor Psychiatric Center JUNE 5 TO JULY 10, 2004 Opening Reception Saturday, June 5 6 - 9 PM -click here to see more art from the Living Museum- Dabora Gallery presents a showcase of artists from the LIVING MUSEUM of Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. The LIVING MUSEUM in Queens, New York is the first museum in the United States dedicated to the production and collection of art by people with mental illness. Founded in 1983 by Bolek Greczynski and Dr. Janos Marton, the museum is a 40,000 square foot oasis for innovative therapeutic healing through creative expression. By allowing freedom of expression in a completely safe and nurturing environment, the stigmatized self of "mental patient" can be transformed into "artist", creating a more positive and useful identity. Here their differences are accepted, even encouraged. Marton believes that anyone who has had a mental breakdown or psychotic experience can come out creating great works of art. He believes that this breaking down of barriers enables communication with a certain power in the universe that all artists are continually striving to achieve. The art of the LIVING MUSEUM is dynamic, honest, and provocative. Many artists here are held in high esteem in the art world, garnering rave reviews from critics. The LIVING MUSEUM and its artists were the subject of the critically acclaimed HBO documentary "Living Museum" and several outside exhibitions have been held at various New York art establishments including the Queens Museum of Art and Ricco-Maresca Gallery. List of artists: Frank Boccio James Correa Bolek Greczynski Issa Ibrahim Deborah Ivanovich Sabita Neron Christina Nicholas Richard Raczkowski Emmanuel Rodriguez Brent Taylor John Tursi "Dirty Tursi" David Waldorf Irvin Wright top image: Bolek Greczynski, sculpture; bottom image: Frank Boccio, oil on canvas, 30"x40" BACK