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BIDDEFORD, Maine

'Your Brain on Art' exhibition focuses on raising awareness of brain safety, brain injury and recovery, and chronic pain

The Biddeford arts organization Engine, in collaboration with the University of New England's Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, will host an opening reception for "Your Brain on Art" on Friday, March 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Engine's gallery space at 265 Main Street in downtown Biddeford.

"Your Brain on Art" features award-winning artists who have been impacted by brain injury, trauma or chronic pain including Jon Sarkin, Nancy Andrews, Karen Musick, and Jenn Shifflett.

University of New England art professor Sarah Gorham will exhibit work portraying her and her father's journey following his diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor and his ultimate passing because of the cancer.

Cathy Plourde, director of of UNE's Add Verb Productions, Holly Haywood, UNE senior multi media specialist, and Mike Vickery, UNE simulation and technology specialist, will have works from the Portraits of Pain series, created for UNE's InterProfessional Education Collaborative 2013 Spring Symposium, titled "The Science of Pain and The Art of Healing."

The exhibit will also include contributions from artists of all ages, including local school children and students from colleges and universities in the area. The Maine College of Art will exhibit the 10' tall stainless steel "Memory Neuron" and local middle school students will display their interpretive drawings.

Moses Chao, Ph.D., the former president of the Society for Neuroscience, will be an honored guest at the public opening. 

The exhibit coincides with the national Brain Awareness Week March 11-17 and will involve other activities and events including:

  • Wednesday, March 13, 6 p.m.: "From the Studio to the Treatment Room" Licensed clinical social worker Dick Tryon and artist Nora Tryon, demonstrate their work in art therapy.
  • Thursday, March 14, 10 a.m.: "Brain Book Readings and Activites for Preschool Children" in collaboration with McArthur Library @Engine
  • Saturday, March 23, 1-4.p.m.: Helmet Giveaway and Interactive Art with the Michael T. Goulet Foundation
  • Monday, March 25, 6:30 p.m.: "Brain Safety Picture Books and Activites for Young Children" In collaboration with McArthur Library @Engine
  • Thursday, March 28, 5-8 p.m.: "Neuroscience Discoveries and Their Impact on Medicine" UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine and MMC Neuroscience Institute
  • Friday, March 29, 5-8.p.m.: Biddeford ArtWalk featuring the Memory Neuron community sculpture installation and Knit-a-Neuron

Sponsors of the exhibition include the University of New England's Center for Excellence and Neuroscience Club, the Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation, Maine Medical Center Neuroscience Institute, P&C Insurance, Port Harbor Marine, Dennett Craig & Pate Inc., Stuart Financial, Dunston Dental, FHC Inc., Southern Maine Medical Center, Kenneally Dental, Run of the Mill, Southern Maine Marine, Saco Biddeford Savings, Saco Bay Tackle, The Cheese Iron, Dave and Melinda Anderson, Ed and Jill Bilsky, and the Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition.

"Your Brain on Art" will be on display at Engine's gallery at 265 Main Street in Biddeford until April 6.

For more information, contact: Engine executive director Tammy Ackerman at either director@feedtheengine.org or 207-229-3560.
 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.