EXHIBITION: “Creating Order”: a group exhibit by artists with Multiple Sclerosis

EXHIBITION DATES: September 28 – December 7

RECEPTION: Saturday, September 28, 5 - 8pm GALLERY HOURS: Thursdays - Saturdays 12pm- 5pm and by appointment

LOCATION: dnj Gallery, 3015 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 CONTACT: pamela@dnjgallery.net WEBSITE: https://www.dnjgallery.net

Pamela Schoenberg, owner/director of dnj Gallery, and Ted Meyer, founder of “Art and Med,” are pleased to announce their exhibition “Creating Order”: a group exhibit by artists with Multiple Sclerosis. The upcoming art exhibition, lecture series, and workshops are a joint attempt to educate, create awareness and raise funds for certain chronic health conditions. The lecture will be a discussion between the patient/artist and a recognized medical professional, along with the newly added workshops designed with the MS community in mind. Inspired by the initial “ArtandMed” program, which uses art as a means to teach an understanding of wellness through patient/artist voices, Schoenberg decided to change the mission of dnj Gallery to support those with chronic health diseases. Education and knowledge lead to solutions, in which one becomes a medical detective to take care of their own health. She believes that collaborating with patients/artists in their health goals will help facilitate our society’s ability to aid in healing. The experiences of both patients and medical specialists play a critical role in the construction of healthcare. Insight leads to motivation and the empowerment to rebuild and control one’s situation. As a certified health coach, Schoenberg will offer health coaching to the artists/patients during the exhibit. Our second exhibition concentrates on Multiple Sclerosis. MS is an unpredictable disease affecting the central nervous system. In MS, the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. MS is usually diagnosed based on presenting signs and symptoms. Rarely fatal, the symptoms, seriousness and length of time can vary from person to person. Some people appear healthier most of their lives, while others can have severe chronic symptoms on an ongoing basis.

“Creating Order” will concentrate on the artwork of Susan B. Trachman, as the Lead Artist, and several other MS artists from around the world, whom she will select. Trachman’s work discusses ‘Control’ – she could not control her disease or her body, so she generated order in other forms. “These snapshots captured my need to create structure and predictability (‘Order’) [and] my need to find my point of equilibrium both physically and figuratively (‘Balance’)…” Trachman explains that through her pieces, she finds a “need to be grateful for what [she] can do.” Her mindset is just as significant in prevailing over and controlling her disease. Her attitude is what she can control. The remaining artists in “Creating Order” construct their art as a response to their lived experiences with MS. This group demonstrates an acceptance of their disease and attempts to display a comprehension to others. They include: Kate Durack, Lydia Emily, Atom St. George, Lindsey Joy Holcomb, Katharine T. Jacobs, Elizabeth Jameson, Ananda Karabo, Kyra Millich, AnnaMarie Prono, Omayra Rivera- Filardi, Shana Stern and Susan Trachman.

I was honored to be one of the Murphy Cadogan Awardees for 2021.

My series You Are A Sick Person was included in the exhibition at SOMArts

One of our original founders, Katharine T Jacobs, will be returning as a featured artist to our gallery July 5th. Debuting her brand new collection of cyanotype photographs on linen embellished with sashiko style stitching, entitled Fixation.

What better way to recover from a July 4th party, then coming to a July 5th party! Beer provided by our wonderful neighborhood sponsor Rogue Brewery.

This is a series about premitting yourself to trust your intuition. A story of survival and an effort to break the cycle of abuse. A collection of one of a kind alternative photographic pieces made playfully with love and intention.