U of R Psychiatry Dept. Celebrates Connection with Albert Paley and Young Artists

At one entrance, there is Portal, a graceful, eight-foot tall, weathered steel sculpture created by internationally renowned artist Albert Paley.  At the other, there is the Bridge Art Gallery, currently featuring Through My Eyes – a telling collection of photographs and other works by area teenagers showing how they view the world.

Both doorways into the University of Rochester’s Department of Psychiatry reflect the role art can play in helping reduce stigma often linked to mental health disorders.

“The beauty and inspiration of Portal, coupled with the thought-provoking and hopeful pieces in Through My Eyes, provide a warm and dignified welcome for the thousands of patients, families, faculty, staff, and students who pass through here,” says Eric D. Caine, M.D., chair of Psychiatry.  “In addition, there is a compelling body of scientific evidence showing artwork in medical settings can have a significant and positive impact on healing.”

Paley and 30 high school artists whose work is displayed in the Bridge Art Gallery will join the University in celebrating their collaboration during an Artists’ Reception on Thursday, May 22 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Department of Psychiatry, 300 Crittenden Boulevard.  The reception is open to the public, free-of-charge.  During the event, free parking is available across the street, in the Saunders Research Building parking lot.

Portal, situated in the Psychiatry Department’s atrium garden, is surrounded by greenery and natural light.  It is part of a nine-piece series of sculptures that explores the synergy between geometric and organic form.  Before being placed on long-term loan to the University, the piece was exhibited throughout the United States and Europe.

Through My Eyes includes 50 pieces by local high school art students working in a variety of media.  Each frame provides a glimpse into the artist’s view of the world:  a crown of dandelions, dripping cones of gelato, a broken heart, a young woman balanced on a rail leading far into the distance, a young man’s face superimposed on a mountaintop.  Participating high schools include Allendale Columbia, Honeoye Falls, Pavilion, Rochester’s School of the Arts, and Spencerport.

The Bridge Art Gallery and the Paley placement are projects of the Office of Mental Health Promotion in the Department of Psychiatry.