inn ramada ramada inn - The Awakenings Project

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The
ART OF HEALING CONFERENCE
at the
2001
Friday April 20th
Saturday April 21st
Sunday April 22nd
RAMADA
RAMADA
INN
INN
in Schenectady, NY
TO REGISTER or FIND OUT MORE:
CALL
HERITAGE
HERITAGE Travel
Travel
back cover art: Trish Evers
“Significant Other V”
and Conference Services
at 518.479.1625
the
NORTH
journal
celebrating
the 10th ANNIVERSARY of NAMH, Inc.
2001, Issue 1
In Memory of Trish Evers
Contributors...
Richard P. Beeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 19
Jesse Bruhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 10
Trish Evers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 2,16
Sherry Grodin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 14, 20
Ronda Jeffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 21
Betty Olsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 9
Lady Pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 13
Richard Courage Michowski . . . . .page 11
Marc Shatavsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 13, 20
The North River Journal
2001, ISSUE 1
Publisher
Frank Marquit, Founder, CEO - NAMH, Inc.
Editor & Designer
Karen Tiedemann, Albino Rhino Designs
Comments? E-mail: [email protected]
Art & Design Consultants
Ralph Ivery Executive Deputy Director, NAMH, Inc.
Marc Audette and Bruce Dodge Albino Rhino Designs
Circulation Manager
Mary Lou Bradford, NAMH, Inc.
Patricia M. Stephenson . . . . . . . . . .page 13
Susan Rinzivillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 9
Eric E. Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 12
Julie Weiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 10
Contents...
You’ve got it going on......
Logo design - Ralph Ivery
Art of Healing Conference . . . . . . .page 3
by K.P. Tiedemann
The Baltic St. Conference . . . . . . . .page 7
by Dr. J. Paul Rosenbaum
Consider Yourself Well-Grounded? page 17
Japanese advocates of Horticultural Therapy travel to Albany
by Bodil Drescher Anaya
Hearing Voices......
Feed the Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 8
A note from the editor
The River Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 18
A note from Frank Marquit, founder and CEO of NAMH, Inc.
The world is filled with ideas, art, and controversy but it’s the people who keep it alive.
Introducing.....
A tribute to
Trish Evers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 2
by Irene O Neill-Sam and K.P. Tiedemann
Inside View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 21
Looking into Ronda Jeffer, artist, advocate, and femme fatale
by K.P. Tiedemann
North River Journal© 2001,by NAMH, Inc.
All rights reserved. Material in this
publication may not be reproduced
in any form without permission.
The North River Journal was created as a
forum for the flow of information, ideas,
opinions, and perspectives relating to the
well-being of the mind, body and spirit.
The Journal does not necessarily endorse
any product, company or business, and
disclaims responsibility for contents of
articles and advertisements in these pages,
as well as the work of contributing artists
and writers, as they are based on the
learnings, beliefs, opinions and actions of
individual artists, writers, advertisers,
practitioners and facilitators.
Please call 518.943.2450
with any advertising or
subscription inquiries. Rates
will be provided upon request.
COVER: TRISH EVERS
“Queen of Fools”, Acrylic/Pastel
KPT: Any influences.....
Ronda:
I’m influenced by everything: Photography, kids’ art, fine art soup labels, I take from all of it.
KPT: Who are the people that get you going....
Ronda:
The people I was attracted to in school are different than the ones I’m attracted to now. In the 80’s it was Frido Kahl, David Sali, Eric Fischl. Now - it’s Petah Coyne, Dana Rudolph. Dana Rudolph has
always been a cheerleader, she pushed me. She kept inviting me to all these things and I’d be like I can do it. I can do it. I can do better. I had to start to believe. The little grain of sand sort of thing.
KPT: How long have you been doing art?
Ronda:
There was school - then for 10 years, no art. I was spiritually void. Strung out. I had a child - I was too
sick. For the past two years, I’ve been teaching - getting my hands back into it. You get that “I have
worth,” “I have something to offer” back.
KPT: The roads you have traveled.... how does that come into play?
Ronda:
I used my work as a way to exercise the
demons in my head. There was alot of
horrific stuff I had to get out. Now I’m
trying to access the little girl, the humor.
If you stay focused on the demons you
will stay in the demon world. My work
now is - more joyful, elated, expansive.
More rapturous.
KPT:
Your perspective on
Mental Health and Art?
Ronda:
‘
Personally, I can’t separate
art from recovery.
The two are integral,
continuous...
A rt.
Just art itself,
has done more
than anything else.
’
page 22
INSIDE VIEW
R onda
Jef f er s...
‘
I love the left side of the brain.
If I could I’d live there forever.
When you’re in that place
’
you’re in the zone.
The
girl has been places,
and seen
some
things.
Styrofoam Ball, Art Inc. Gallery, Ballston Spa, NY 2000
Art and Soul, Fulton Street Gallery, Troy NY, 2000 Art Resources
Transfer, Inc., NYC, 2000
The Text Show, Albany Center Galleries, Albany NY 2000 New Faith, Albany Center Galleries,
Albany, NY 2000
The Mohawk Hudson Regional, Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany, NY 1985, 1999
Art in Public
Places, Visual Arts Gallery, NYC, 1988
Visual Arts Gallery, NYC, 1987
The Mohawk Hudson Regional, Schenectady
Museum, Schenectady, NY 1986
The Fence Show, Rensselaer County Council for the Arts, Troy, NY
2-Person Show, Rensselaer
County Council of the Arts, Troy, NY
Art in Selling Spaces, Macy’s Colonie 1985
Interplay, The Albany Bi-Annual, The Rice
Gallery, Albany Institute of History & Art, 1985
Local Artists, Hamm-Brickman Gallery, Albany, NY 1985
A brief conversation with a woman on the move KPT:
Your art. What is all about?
Ronda:
KPT:
And sock them with....
Ronda:
page 21
Now it’s all around sexuality - l’m doing 6 ft. comic book women. A kind of girls rule, hypersexual, new
feminism. They’re all about women. Strong physicality and energy. It’s more visceral - like having sex. It
takes tons of energy. My work in school was more dark. The dark side has always fascinated me. That
moment of fascination and repulsion at the same time - we don’t want to look but we do. I’m interested
in the viewer as voyeur. I love to pull the viewer into my work.
Big issues. Religion. Sex. Death. I love content in work. (Something) with a story behind it. Something
about society at large, or personal stories.
A Tribute to
Trish Evers...
‘
She was about
lifting people up
through her art and her words...
’
Trish Evers. An artist. A person. An individual. A consumer.
She passed on August 19, 2000 from cancer. In the first weeks
of putting together this issue of North River Journal, Frank and
Ralph asked me to include a tribute to Trish and gave me a
number of one of Trish’s close friends to call and find out more.
What I found was pure oxygen. Speaking with Irene O NeillSam, e-mailing her, asking questions, that invariable part of me
that gets lost in the murky details of everyday life, stopped for a
second - and took a second look at where I was. Trish is someone to store in the back of your head. A piece of chocolate long
after Halloween is over. In this issue of the North River Journal is
a brief introduction to a woman who breathed in the planet as
though it was made of canvas. This article is a small tribute to
what she was all about.
- K. P. Tiedemann
“Right of Spring”, Acrylic/Pastel
Trish Evers
VITAL STATS:
After receiving a B.A. in Art Education from Northern Illinois University in 1971, Trish taught school for several years before
becoming a working artist with her own studio. She was involved in the Awakenings Project based in Chicago, and exhibited
her work at several galleries, including the O’Hare Plaza Gallery II in Chicago where she had a retrospective show up for the
last year of her life. Other galleries included Four Corners, a gallery in Naperville, the DuPage Art League, the Naked Eye
Gallery and her own Windstone Creative Arts Studio. Trish worked in every medium, from printmaking (linotypes,
collagraphs, etchings, etc.), to watercolor monotypes, straight watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, pastel, etc.
I wanted to find out more so I asked...
KPT:
How long has she been doing art?
Irene O Neill-Sam:
KPT:
She celebrated the beauty of life in all its forms; trees, wind, stones, oceans, goddesses, and
finally looking inward, her self-portraits were very personal glimpses inside herself.
Who were her influences? Whom did she influence?
Irene O Neill-Sam:
KPT:
Probably for many lifetimes I suspect.
You mentioned different things Trish focused on in her work- nature, self-portraits... what did each of these mean
to her, what did she get out of them?
Irene O Neill-Sam:
KPT:
and this is what I found out -
Her influences were as diverse as the I-Ching, Great Blue Herons, Malidoma Some, and the Dalai
Lama. She influenced everyone she met, but especially the Awakening artists, whom she took under
her wing.
Who were her favorite artists?
Irene O Neill-Sam : The ones who put truth above beauty, and were fearless in their honesty.
Continued
on p.9
Join us
at
the
Art
of
HEALING
CONFERENCE
Ramada Inn
Schenectady, NY
page 3
200 1
Sherry
Grodin
Untitled, Pastel
Marc
Shatavsky
untitled. crayon/watercolor
page 20
CONSUMER IN EXPRESSION
by Richard P. Beeman
Theatre is often explained through iconic masks of sadness and joy. People will converse
about the bittersweet irony of life. According to psychiatrist Louis Sass, the tug of war between man’s
melancholy and his antithetical inclination towards elation creates a chasm in his being which slips in
the creative soul.
As a mental health consumer, I myself have felt this dualistic affect of what I call “nurturing
feelings in a maelstrom.” This does seem to open up a creative side of me, which runs an express
train of feelings and thoughts, which allow me to express emotions as a writer.
Through the years, I have noticed this “fine madness” in others. Having published 40 issues
of a consumer-run newsletter has given me a wealth of insight and treasure of modern verse written
by mentally ill consumers. In this poetry, one may find a future Poe, or a cintillating Rod McKuen,
wishing only to bring joy to his reader. Though all the different in form and expression, one thing
remains constant. Consumers put themselves into their work, hoping to touch others in many ways.
For some, that way may be to elicit tears, or to tell of the suffering their fellow person, or to
bring home a crisp moment of observation of the everyday world. And still yet, these word tinkerings
may bring out the simple satisfaction in the little things most people take for granted. The sunshine,
the stars, a pet.
Robert Preakly, a British psychiatrist, talked about how the loosening of association in
mentally ill individuals brought on a kind of symbolic speech which often lent itself to poetic form. Such
authors as Silvino Areti and Harry Stack Sullivan attempted to define schizophrenia through a
common link of paleosymbolic language. But at any rate, emotions run deep among many of us,
amid the frigid cold we may feel from the world at large.
Poet August Stridnberg expressed it this way: “I am hard as ice, and yet so full of feeling, I am
almost sentimental.” French existentialist writer Franz Kafka explored fear and loathing in the inner
sanctum of illness with such works as the Trial and Metamorphosis. Kafka spoke of a hypersensitive
sensibility - a sort of sophistication in the pit of despair.
I watched this terror of disintegration in my best friend Bill. Bill feared helicopters and football players out to mock him. He was imbued with feelings of what I would call consciousness rather
than grandeur, for Bill was modest and selfless to a point. Bill never acted out on his terrors but would
express himself through poetry. His work “Nightmare in Daytime” talked of “blinding anxiety” and
“blizzards of sound and mind.” I lost my good friend to mental illness five years ago, but his poetry
lives on with me.
ATTENTION ARTISTS National Artists for Mental Health, Inc.
is in the process of sorting out stored artwork.
If you have artwork stored at NAMH,
please call
1.518.9 43.2 450
and advise on what you want to do with your stored art.
NAMH, Inc. will assume responsibility for all art that is not claimed.
page 19
or three days at the end of March,
participants at National Artists for Mental
Health Annual Art of Healing Conference
reveled in, waded and danced through
workshops, speakers, presentations and
performances on Mental Health Recovery.
From the healing energy of Chakras with Holly
Merton, to Music Therapy with Joe Nagler. From
Special Events Funding to Horticultural Therapy
to Storytelling. The Art of Healing Conference is
about information and ideas, inspiration,
connections, and bonds. It’s about trying new
things and testing old beliefs. It’s about driving
to the bottom of your soul, digging around, and
bringing to the surface things you never knew
were there, and things that have always been
there. Like the first time your fingers wrapped
around the steering wheel of a beat-up Ford
Pinto. There’s Energy. Drive. Passion. Frank
Marquit, founder and CEO of NAMH, Inc. puts
it this way, “With a concentration on the mind,
body, and spirit, these presentations take you
beyond the traditional psychiatric
model and it’s reliance on
F
Dance
Sing
LIVE
OUT
LOUD
cont. on p.6
ABOVE:
Sheilah Hill,
NAMH Board
member
ABOVE: Cathy Lynch, Frank Sullivan, Bill Wells
page 4
THE ART OF HEALING CONFERENCE 2001
THEY COME FROM EVERY
WHERE
and
All Photos on this page by: Jackie DiLorenzo
they have
something
to say.
ABOVE: Conference Attendees in
Masquerade
ABOVE: Conference
dinner banquet
ABOVE: Ralph Ivery, Executive Deputy Director NAMH, Inc., Midge & Frank Montano, Conference Speakers
page 5
THE RIVER FLOWS
A note from Frank Marquit, Founder and CEO of NAMH, Inc.
I am always inspired by the creativity and artistry of my peers. I believe that art transcends diversity and
differences and is an authentic documentation of our history and culture. Our goal is to educate and explore a
greater range of holistic options that build self-esteem, celebrate empowerment and the human spirit. I believe
that we need to give attention to ourselves and to nurture the mind, body, and spiritual connections that make us
healthy and whole. I believe by taking care of ourselves in a positive, nurturing way, we move toward a state of
true wellness.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our past issues and to the current North River Journal.
We have changed our format and style, creating a new, exciting, and dynamic North River Journal. The Journal
welcomes all artwork, poetry, short stories, and articles relating to the Arts, Wellness, and Alternative Healing
approaches. Please let me know what you think of our new North River Journal, and thank you in advance.
MUCH GRATITUDE TO ED KNIGHT AND PETER ASHENDEN. . .
The staff of NAMH, Inc. and myself owe Ed Knight, the former CEO of the Mental Health Empowerment
Project (MHEP), much gratitude for all his hard work and persistence in shaping recipient Mental Health policy.
Ed helped create and develop hundreds of self-help groups across New York state and nationally. I’ve heard
people call Ed the “Johnny Appleseed of Self-Help.” It’s a great and fitting title. I wish Ed all the best of luck in
all of his future endeavors. It was a privelege and honor working with him, and I hope to do so again. I want to
welcome and congradulate Peter Ashenden in his new position as Executive Director of MHEP.
The best to Peter.
Happy New Year!
page 18
Professionals of Horticultural Therapy from Japan Land in Albany
WAY TO GROW, a non-profit
organization
dedicated
to
advancing Horticulture Therapy,
had a fascinating group of touring
Japanese visitors come here from
Tokyo last fall. This was a study
group of thirteen professionals
headed by Professor Dr. Hiroshi
Yamane from Kyoto University and sponsored by the International
Institute for Educational Therapy.
Arrangements for this tour to
visit
sites
in
New
York,
Pennsylvania, and Toronto were
made by Bodil Drescher Anaya,
CEO and President of Way to Grow
and an active board member of
National Artists for Mental Health,
Inc. The group consisted of
Horticultural Therapists, Occupational
Therapists, Occupational Therapists,
Teaching Professors, Researchers,
Landscape Architects, and Nurses.
Working
through
a
professional interpreter, Yumiko Kan,
the group flew into Albany
International Airport, then stayed in
Saratoga as they attended several
days of lecture classes in Horticulture
Therapy at the Way to Grow office in
Schuylerville. Bodil then arranged for
them to visit and observe the working
sessions at the “Unlimited Gardens”
at the Cornell University Extension
grounds in Saratoga Springs where
she had started a Horticulture
Visiting Professionals from the International Institute of Educational Therapy in Japan
page 17
Therapy program two years ago to
work with physically and mentally
handicapped young people.
A second program visited was
“Pond View Farms” in Vorheesville,
where Way to Grow works with the
developmentally disabled and also
youngsters with various psychiatric
problems.
A third program visited was “Four
Winds” in Saratoga Springs, a mental
health
facility
providing
a
comprehensive range of mental health
services. Frank Marquit, CEO and
President of NAMH, met with Bodil
and the touring group - and we were
all shown the grounds and good work
being
done
at
Four
Winds.
Horticulture Therapy is recognized as
a significant therapy that would
benefit their work - however, for the
time being, Four Winds does not have
sufficient funding to operate such a
program. All of us then proceeded to
NAMH, Inc., Albany offices where our
Japanese visitors were most impressed
with the artwork and programs that
Frank and his staff are developing.
Since returning to Japan, many
individual members of this tour group
have sent Bodil expressions of how
informative and rewarding their trip
here was - and their sponsor, Noriyuki
Fujii, Chief Executive Officer of the
International Institute for Educational
Therapy, has indicated their intent to
send study groups to us on a repeat
basis in the future.
- Bodil Drescher Anaya
introducing
Joe Albert - Gentle Yoga
The
Ron & Lindsey Bassman -
speakers:
Gayle Bluebird - Reaching Across with the Arts
Transformative Journey: Ancient and Modern Practices
Rochelle Brenner - Poetry of the Soul
Butch Conn - Grantwriting
Bodil Anaya Dreshcer - Creative Mask-Making
Mark Gustin - Special Events Funding
Sheila Hill - Synchronicity and Spirituality
Ralph Ivery Designing Your Spirituality Through Mixed-Media
Ronda Jeffer - This is My Story & I’m Sticking to It
Stephen & Robin Larsen Angelic Alchemy; The Practice of Spirit-Informed Partnership
Cecile Lawrence Cultural Journeys Towards Inner/Global Healing
Dee Ellen Lee - Healing Through Storytelling
Frank & Midge Montano Your Spirituality as a Caregiver
ABOVE : Issa Ibraham - Award winning recipient
Natalie Rogers & Lucy Barbera Expressive Arts as Healing
Conference cont. from p. 4
Paul Rosenbaum - Recipient Artists Panel
Paul Weiss - Techniques in Marbeling
the short-term goal of stabilization. From
expressive painting, dance, and drama Sylvia & Michael Wheelis - The Human /Animal Bond
to yoga, meditation, and nutrition - these
Dennis Whetsel self-help approaches focus on the whole
self, and when incorporated into existing
Seeing & Becoming- Cultivating Stage Presence
recovery plans, encompass a much more
Danielle Woerner
effective means to attain true wholeness
The Artist’s Voice; A Multi-Media Exploration
and wellness.” Three days. It ’s eye opening. It’s real. It’s a whole new ballFrank Marquit, Saturday Keynote Speaker
game. And the moment you realize you’re
Embracing Your Potential; Live with Passion
in the driver ’s seat is the moment you
Kathy Lynch, Friday Keynote Speaker
start moving. The possibility of going
Merry Making Puppets
anywhere - daunting and a little bit
dangerous. And somehow, you don’t quite
want it to end.
Keep your foot on the brakes because there’s more...
The Art of Healing
Conference 2001
will be held at the Ramada Inn in Schenectady, New York
Friday April 20th to Sunday April 22nd
page 6
reporting on
I have known Frank Marquit for many
years and have always been impressed with his
professionalism, dedication, and sincerity. Since art
and culture have been a major influence on my
life from childhood, during illness, and finally,
recovery, I gravitated to Frank as a friend and
colleague. Several years ago he approached me
and asked if I would like to be a board member of
NAMH, Inc. I was genuinely honored at the time
and I gained more respect for him with the
passage of time. I put him in the same league with
departed legends, Howie the Harp, and Ken
Steele, both of whom have been major influences
in the consumer movement. I also equate his skills
with professionals like Janos Marton, director of
the Living Museum at Creedmor, and Michael
Spencer, founder and CEO of Hospital Audiences.
the
October 18th, 2000
presented by
National Artists
for Mental Health, Inc.
and the
South Beach
Psychiatric Center
Baltic Street Clinic
‘Recovery
Through the
Arts’
page 7
This was a very appropriate title for this
conference because every aspect of this event
demonstrated the premise.
Gail Shamchenko gave an unusual
presentation of her provocative work utilizing slides
accompanied by her in-depth interpretation and
meaning of her unusual creations. The audience
was fascinated and their commentary was
interesting and rewarding.
The panel members, both morning and
afternoon, had much experience in their individual
disciplines and this showed throughout the day by
the spirited participation of the audience. To the
surprise of the organizers, who had anticipated a
good attendance, their expectations were short of
the 190 people who attended!
The entertainment throughout the day was
not only inspirational, but moving and emotional.
The quality and professional caliber of the
vocalists, dancers, and accompanying musicians
was thrilling and remarkable. These artists also
related their individual stories and the impact on
the viewers was one of awe and appreciation of
their accomplishments.
The workshops were exceptional; however
two in particular evoked memories for me because
I had seen them over a number of years. They
were the Pillows of Unrest project and maskmaking, supervised by Ralph Ivery.
- Dr. J. Paul Rosenbaum
Interview on Trish Evers
continued from page 2
KPT: What was her perspective on Mental Health, on Art, on the two combined?
Irene O Neill-Sam :
She felt that often when she was close to the edge, in terms of her own mental health, she managed
to avoid hospitilizations by holing herself up in her studio. Immersing herself in art-making helped
her maintain her sanity in an insane world. She learned that art heals the self, the soul, the whole
world. When she spoke, she spoke straight from the heart, bearing her soul, blood and guts, and
others learned volumes from her.
KPT:
What issues did she take a stand on, feel adamant about?
Irene O Neill-Sam :
There were so many, it was hard to say. She knew her own mind, felt very strongly about many
things, and was always true to herself in expressing how she felt. Not only was she vocal, but she
was always extremely eloquent. She often quoted poet Rainier Maria Rilke, who said, “We must give
birth to our images, and we must give birth no matter what the negative by-products in our
psychological development. To be human is to love, create, and give birth in the real world and
wrestle courageously, if need be, with whatever negative by-products may arise from one’s choice to
be fully alive.” Then there was a great quote by Trish, “It has been said by many people viewing our
exhibitions that this is ‘Art with a heart.’ I’ll go further and add that not only is it Art with a heart, but
alot of soul, blood and guts. It takes great courage not only to plumb the inner-depths to create this
art, but even more to put one’s innermost feelings on display. Few but those of truly creative
temperament take the risk to express themselves so humanly, so passionately, and expose themselves
so openly.”
“Windwaves Be Mine”, Diptych, Poured ink
Trish Evers
page 16
The
MED
ALERT
BRACELET
is now available
underwritten by
Janssen Pharmaceutica-
Helping to bring
you peace of
mind.
To place an order
contact NAMH, Inc.
at 518.943.2450
NO CHARGE
SHIPPING INCLUDED
inscribed on back: I am a person with Mental Health Issues
DEVELOPED BY A PANEL OF RECIPIENTS
the art of
Michael DUNKLEY
On display
A.K.A.
DOMESTO
February thru March 2001
At the North River Gallery
23 Walker Way, Albany, NY
Interested in having your Art Work in the Gallery? Call 518.943.2450
page 15
Graphic Design
CopywritING
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photodigital: Bruce Emmanuel Dodge
ILLUSTRATION
WEB DESIGN
PUBLIC RELATIONS
ADVERTISING
A
Feed the Fire...
LBINO
RHIN
DESIGNS
A note from the editor
e are surrounded by the things that shape
us. And we take it in, and some way or
another, what we take in resurfaces in our
thoughts, opinions, ideas, beliefs, in our art, in
our work, in the things that make us who we are.
A man in a suit of grass walks down the street.
Some say art, some say attitude. Some take a
second look, some don’t look twice. Loose
translation - Don’t underestimate the power of
impact.
W
There is a metrocard on my desk. There is an
empty roll of film in my camera, and 1.3
gigabytes left on my G3 harddrive. There is a
half a pot of coffee left in the kitchen and there is
a technology gap sitting out there that keeps me
awake at night. These are the things that surround
me. They are why I write, why I design, why I see
things the way I do.
This issue of the North River Journal has a
different feel to it than prior issues, but the
underlying premise is the same. It is 24 pages of
art and literature; 24 pages of ideas, opinions,
articles, and events that are all about impact.
What people are thinking, what people are
feeling, what keeps them going. How you take in
what’s out there, and how it affects you. It is
hopefully, a way to express the things that keep
us moving forward. So take it in and enjoy. And
let me know what you think.
UAW 3030
O
Right
on point.
Phone/Fax 718.421.7898
1155 Ocean Ave, Apt. 5G, Brooklyn,
NY 11230
Ready to Go On
- unnamed
A black hole that drains every last drop
Barred prison containing pain that just won’t stop
Emptiness that can’t be filled
Pain so great it’s been known to kill
Overwhelming feelings that will make you weak
Heaviness in your chest that makes it hard to speak
Reality that’s blurry, drowned in the haze
Reoccurring nightmare; or just trapped in a daze
A body that lacks the strength to go on
Need to cry so often it becomes a daily song
Life that has gone numb from repetition
Fear in you fights but can’t handle the competition
When it’s all over and the pain is gone
Stronger person is ready to go on
page 8
Life Seen Through Wolf’s Eyes
By Susan Rinzivllo
Prescott
Moonlight is the last thing Alfie sees.
By Betty Olsen
Summer moonlight dazzles
His eyes in through white
Moonlight windows.
Again the beasts leap on him.
He, Alfie, trying to scream a
warm yellow breath.
But he trips over the coffee
urn and goes on.
Staggers to his feet,
with a huge, ragged, spraying
white hole in his back.
There is another shattering R-O-A-R.
"JAWS" sink into the deltoid muscles
of his back. As Alfie tries to dodge
the creature it leaps at Alfie.
And with terrifying force,
R-I-P upward.
The red linoleum floor,
the counter, the grille.
Blood sprays. . .And then
a great red pain seen
through "Alfie’s" eyes.
The breeze tosses the white curtain into a pillow
around the extending branches of the orange tree.
He jumps in the air, his paws flying at an imaginary
play toy.
The sunlight catches the gray black of his fur and
makes it silver.
The doll sitting silently on the baby chair
catches his eye.
He wraps his body around in a most precarious
way to touch her head and bring her closer.
She is just his size and he can be the boss.
No sound is uttered as he pulls her hair or chews
her dress.
Now the sun is down and shadows come through
the bamboo blinds.
He finds comfort in the folds of the spread
and lets his little body relax.
Trish Evers “Anima/Animus”, Poured Ink
page 9
Sherry Grodin
“Society of Herself”
envision yourself on
www.namh.org
To broaden our program and scope,
NAMH, Inc. has entered the wild, wild world
of CYBERSPACE. A site to see. . . check it out!
Exhibit your artwork on the internet
The gallery is open 24/7 and
is visited by over 1,000 people daily.
NAMH, Inc. is on the lookout
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Please join our Artspace Artists registry
by e-mailing or contacting us at 1.518.943.2450
page 14
Don’t Be a Loser
Upon This Precipice
By LADY PEA
By Patricia M. Stephenson
YOU ARE A LOSER DON’T BE A USER
I’M STANDING
UPON THE PRECIPICE OF TIME
IT’S A STEEP DROP TO THE BOTTOM
I WONDER WHAT I’LL FIND THERE
SHOULD I LEAP
DON’T WASTE TIME YOU BE LEFT BEHIND
ONE DAY WALKING DOWN THE STREET
LOOKING NICE AND ALSO NEAT
CLEAN AS A BUTTON EVERYONE WAS GLUTTON
SOME ASK ME DID I DIP COKE
I TOLD THEM I’M NOT A DOPE
I SAID LET ME TELL YOU BROTHER
IF IT’S ONE THING OR THE OTHER
I DON’T HAVE TIME TO PLAY NO DEATH GAME
MY GOAL IS TO GET HIGH OFF EDUCATION AND REACH MY AIM
I’M AIMING TO BETTER MY SELF-ESTEEM
DON’T MEAN TO BE GREEDY DON’T MEAN TO BE MEAN
A BLACK HOLE
OR PARADISE
PERHAPS THE PROMISED LAND
A THRONG OF VOICES
URGE ME
NOT TO MAKE IN HASTE
WHAT WOULD BE A WASTE
AN UNTHOUGHT OUT DECISION
AN IMPULSE
I’M A PERSON WITH SKILLS AND INTELLIGENCE
ONE DAY YOU WAKE UP AND SAY NO TO DRUGS
STAY OFF THE CORNERS AND BEING A BUG
TO END THE PAIN
AND START AGAIN
OR SO THE PROPHETS SAY
LET THIS MESSAGE TELL YOU WHAT’S BEST
STAY OFF DRUG,. DON’T BE IN THE UGLY MESS
WHO CAN HELP
AND RING UP GOD
IMPLORE HIM FOR A REASON
TO PRESS ON TO ANOTHER DAY
UNCHARTERED WATERS
STRAIGHT AHEAD
PERHAPS MORE PAIN
SO WHAT’S THE GAIN
A RAY OF HOPE
TO LIVE AGAIN
TO LIFE I’LL CLING
TILL ANGELS SING
LIFE’S WORTH THE ANGUISH
AND NOT KNOWING
WITH COURAGE STAND YOUR GROUND
CONVINCED AND UNRELENTING
CHOOSE LIFE MY FRIEND
RIGHT TO THE END
SWERVE NOT IN YOUR CONVICTION
BY CHANCE
AND CIRCUMSTANCE
STAND I TO THE END
UPON THIS PRECIPICE
page 13
Untitled
By Julie Weiss
The Living Dead
By Jesse Bruhn
I went to sleep last night,
and returned to what seemed to be
a different world.
I ate breakfast,
but it all didn’t taste the same.
Then lunch,
but this also wasn’t the same.
The sound of music
did nothing for me either.
I then decided it was time
to get out and go somewhere.
When I got to the mall,
things got even stranger.
The sound did nothing.
The sights did nothing.
The smells did nothing.
And the feeling did nothing.
I was dead to the world.
The only thing felt was misery.
I can’t turn to the world,
it wasn’t there.
I wasn’t in the world anymore.
I was in my own world of misery.
I then decided to leave this world of misery.
While cutting my wrist,
I felt nothing,
like with everything else.
All I could feel was the
misery slowly dying away.
The misery went away.
But in the long run I had lost everything else.
Including my soul.
I was a fool for being tricked in Evil’s way,
from the situation I was in.
The demon was released
In my sleep the night before.
Now my soul,
forever,
will be the demons to abuse,
and no hope will remain for me.
I wish I had even the little hope I had before,
it’s better then what I have know.
October falls in yellow orange hues
stretch across hills and streams—wooded with
Deer swiftly moving through roads to the
Other side.
I think: this could be an accident at
any moment—fear comes into my mind and takes
me for a ride. I’ll look away in the wrong instant
or someone is going to be reckless and I’ll be
unaware until
it is too late. Fall comes now with a golden
red fury of falling leaves bouncing off the
pavement where I smoothly speed by—there in
that moment I surrender to a fantasy of
color and movement.
The road is a snake moving through
puff balls of leaves falling and leaves - still
hanging like Christmas ornaments upon the
tree. And I’ll be thinking of the song
"O Christmas Tree" as I drive. It enters
through one moment of thought and leaves
in another. I remember today being in
the desert in winter, psychotic and
euphoric at once
Needing ten dollars and being at a restaurant.
Telling the waitress I’ll be right back as I
had to go retrieve some money from my
small but well-loved home. How life hurt
everyday in that sunnyside-up dry land of
mountains and cactus. I’ve never been so
alone before. Until—as I drive home on
this late afternoon in October and the hills
slide into roads covered both with leaves
riding smoothly
as who I am and who I’ve been. Seen but
unseen. . .heard
but not heard.
page 10
Left is Me
By Richard Courage Michalowski
Up is down
down is up
right is left
and left is… wrong?
Writing left-handed is wrong? And wrong is… me?
All night, all day, no matter what I tried
to do or say
Daddy threatened to send me far, far away.
Oh mommy dear, oh daddyo
why, why did you mistreat me so?
Like an unwanted toy
you’d broken before
it was even time to play.
If you had held me, softer
called me, gentler,
I might still be here today
A fireman, Artist, some noble twist
instead pf just a slit wrist.
But it’s not suicide, mind
You’d already taken my life,
I just wanted to leave the pain behind.
I’ve grown up so confused!
No matter how I answered
I’d get bruised!
Bleeding, broken
contorted like a freak,
a pariah, misfitted, friendless,
endlessly pathetic geek
Until one day,
my well of anger
sprung a leak.
And I choked you,
and I broke you till you bled,
then held you close
till I was sure you were dead.
But you know something?
Now I’ve written this,
I’m really pissed!
That I won’t be at
my funeral to see
how I’m missed.
Won’t smell the roses
red, if they remember
won’t hear the speeches
and the eulogy tendered.
Won’t run my fingers across
the parchment of the cards.
Won’t watch the tears
of those I somehow
despite my nothing self
held dear.
And in that mind’s eye moment
as I watched, you left this earth,
but left your self-hatred behind
Right is left,
left is wrong, left is me,
and I alone am all so wrong.
I didn’t read that in
ink or wood or stone
but it’s written in hair fracture lines
in my skull bones.
Up is down
down is up.
I almost died in spirit if not in body here tonight
Right…
...Right is right.
I was … wronged
Ahhh! I start to see!
Life is love,
All’s left is love,
love’s all I left
and left is me.
page 11
We Should All Care
by Eric E. Roberts
Mental Illness is a disease of the brain with a genetic disposition; it is not demon possession, and is not
primarily environmentally-induced, although someone’s environment can induce the disease, which can occur when
a person takes a psychedelic drug, or is exposed to a continuous traumatic environment.
10 million children are growing up in substance abuse families, and 12% of these children are under five
years old. Our Attorney General, Janet Reno said, “0 to 3 year-olds are where we need to care.” We need to mold
things into young people’s minds so they become positive influences in society.
There are some situations where childrens’ molding has failed. The criminal justice system is becoming the
system of choice for minority children, and with the dehumanizing conditions of the juvenile system, we have yet to
see what the repercussions will be to society. We are in unchartered waters.
We need community health services to treat all social levels in society. Many children are not seen as
appropriate for services because of monetary factors, or not being a county resident, and being too problematic. The
average public policy is discrimination against the mentally ill, as well as the treatment needed to help these people.
Prevention and early intervention save people from becoming homeless. 40% of the homeless being women
and children points to early intervention being a key factor in saving the 300,000 people that live and die on the
streets, and the trauma their children suffer. Lack of early treatment leads to homelessness. One million
disabled people live in substandard housing. Many children are affected by these horrible living conditions.
Society needs to change their perception of the mentally ill: vagrant, buffoon, criminal, invisible, child; these
are some perceptions of these people. Most schizophrenics are not violent. Today is the worst treatment for the
schizophrenic: 10% die from suicide, endure shock treatment, are over-medicated, put in five-point restraint or
suffer homelessness. Some receive brain surgery, are often raped, suffer starvation, are socially ostracized, and 3,000
homeless schizophrenics are murdered every year. 1/3 of the homeless are schizophrenic.
When the mentally ill try and obtain employment, they are usually not hired. 70% of the disabled are
unemployed, and almost 100% of schizophrenics are unemployed. 60 billion government dollars were spent on the
disabled. A high price to pay for discrimination? People don’t care about the mentally ill, they just want them to go
away.
When a homeless schizophrenic is hospitalized, there are usually three reasons: scabies and lice, starvation,
and major trauma. These are the same conditions under which the people in the Nazi concentration camps were treated. Many homeless people commit a crime in order to go to jail. This is considered a step-up for them. Remember,
these people have parents, children, relatives, and have attended school.
At the hate crime forum in Sacramento, I brought before everyone the reality that homeless schizophrenics
are murdered more often than any other segment of society; 20% above the national average, and it is usually a hate
crime. THe purpose of a hate crime is to send a message; “If you continue as you are, it won’t be tolerated. It’s an
attack of the very soul of the person. There is a repercussion to the family when it occurs, and 90% of the
communities don’t report an incident of hate. Most people don’t file a report because of a fear that law enforcement
will not do anything about it.
16.7 million people, ages 18-69, have a mental illness. 1/3 of the cases in jails are either incompetent or
insane. The criminal justice system has a distaste for the mentally ill, which includes judges, public defenders,
correctional officers, and fellow prisoners. If a person is mentally ill they should see a doctor, not go to jail.
Most of the information written on this paper was obtained from: The Department of Justice Forum, Alliance
for the Mentally Ill - California Conference, and The Hate Crime Forum.
page 12