Fountain Gallery

Fountain Gallery is the premier venue in New York City representing artists with mental illness.

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at Fountain House Gallery

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#breakthestigma #fhgloves #FountainHouseGallery (at Fountain House Gallery)

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From Darkness To Light: Event Photos

http://brokenlightcollective.wordpress.com/events/from-darkness-to-light-fountain-gallery-nyc-summer-2014/

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If I don't create I will go bonkers; I have an innate drive. Mental illness is like an extra sense, a natural advantage. There is a zone that you are always in.

-Anthony Newton

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Karen and Justin: A Family Story

Do you know Karen? She runs our Studio One program, a weekly open studio held at Fountain House, where members can explore various artistic mediums! We are so thankful for her dedication. Please take a moment to read Karen and her son Justin's story on the Fountain House blog.

'“I wish everyone in the world could have the attitude they have at Fountain House,” Karen explains. “People are different whether or not they have mental illness.  Fountain House understands those differences and works with members as individuals.”' http://www.fountainhouse.org/content/news/karen-and-justin-family-story

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From Darkness to Light

From Darkness to Light June 26 - August 13, 2014

“The photographic mélange of images in this show represents a variety of mental states as well as photographic genres including self-portrait, nature, abstract, street photography and more,” said Hark, founder of Broken Light Collective. “In these images we observe dark and light, suffering and hope. We see things that are broken or abandoned, but we also find life emerging from the rubble. We see people in pain as well as those finding light at the end of the tunnel. As an artist with mental illness and a mental health advocate, I am honored to be curating this exhibit for Fountain Gallery.”

From Darkness to Light represents a cross section of the Broken Light Collective online gallery in terms of style, location, age, and mental health and developmental challenges. The 36 photographers from around the globe who are featured in the show have been affected by conditions including depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, addiction, and autism. From Darkness to Light is presented through the Fountain Gallery Visiting Artists Program and is curated by Danielle Hark.

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Check out this preview video of the works in “From Darkness to Light” by Broken Light Collective.

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Evidence of Living

Evidence of Living June 19-22 2014

During the “Evidence of Living” exhibit, you’ll find three ways to be immersed in story:

Strangers Project Stories: The Strangers Project (http://strangersproject.com/) consists of over 7,000 stories collected face-to-face from Strangers around the country. I ask participants to write whatever they want—as long as it’s true. The result is a mosaic pieced together from the lives happening around us at every moment. These are the stories of our friends, our families, and people we’ve never spoken to. Every moment billions of stories are unfolding—this is a glimpse into some of those things we may otherwise not notice. These are our lives.

Fountain House Stories: Over the past week, The Strangers Project has teamed up with the Fountain Gallery (http://fountaingallerynyc.com/) artists to collect stories from members of the Fountain House community. Fountain House is dedicated to the recovery of men and women with mental illness by providing opportunities for our members to live, work, and learn, while contributing their talents through a community of mutual support. During this collaboration, we hope to share these important stories with you.

Share Your Story: What will start as a blank wall will be filled of the stories of those that choose to add their own during their visit. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to make your mark and share your own story (anonymously) with the Strangers Project and add it to the exhibit.

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Happy 14th Birthday Fountain Gallery!

"In the beginning: There was a thrift shop. Located at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 48th Street, the Fountain House Thrift Shop had served the community well, but in 1999 the decision was made to close it. Fountain House President Kenn Dudek had visited a clubhouse in Sweden modeled after Fountain House, where he was captivated by the artistic talent of its members. A lightbulb moment: The Ninth Avenue space could be transformed into an art gallery. It was a bold concept, but Fountain House had long been known for its innovative work to improve the lives of people living with mental illness while challenging the stigma associated with it. Kenn collaborated with respected artist Donna Moylan and the architecture and design firm Elskop Schloz, to translate his vision into a reality. Esther Montanez, Fountain House Director of Special Projects was charged with shepherding the new enterprise. At first skeptical about the project, she was soon fully committed to it, plunging into the fledgling endeavor with her customary zeal. Working alongside her were a small coterie of member-artists and the first of what would become a large brand of dedicated volunteers. At the start no one know just how much artistic talent might reside along the membership, but the answer was soon clear: plenty. On June 19, 2000, Fountain Gallery presented its first group exhibition." -Fountain Gallery. More Than A Gallery. A Movement.

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Where®- Art Scene: Outsider? at Fountain Gallery

http://www.wheretraveler.com/new-york-city/art-scene-outsider-fountain-gallery#ad-image-0 "Sue Stoffel, the exhibit organizer and art historian/museum specialist, wants to challenge the way viewers approach art: "Can and how does mental illness define the creative process? If we know beforehand that this is work by people with mental illness, does that change our perception of it?"

Her question is powerful. I'll add one of my own: Have you ever met a career artist who doesn't exhibit at least a handful of symptoms straight out of the DSM? Beauty is beauty, art is art, and no mind is perfect. 

Feel like you're on the outside looking in? You're not alone."

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There was always room for everybody at the Gallery. Even if you were not artistic, you could help paint the wall, or hang the pictures, or just sweep and clean if this is all you felt you could do. Everyone was a part of the impetus to succeed. I was one of those who remained shy at the beginning about my artistic passion. So I helped in other ways. I cleaned. I hung pictures. I painted the walls. I helped Esther with running the Gallery in general. I did everything but actually paint a picture. But eventually I came out and resurrected some old oils I had done and put them on view. One sold. This was the push I needed and I started drawing pencil portraits.

Timothy Bronkema

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FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY: Jonathan Glass

It’s FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY! This Friday’s featured artist is Jonathan Glass. Jon is primarily a pen and ink artist. His featured piece is “Phillipe Duchemin Trio at Duc de Lombards,” pen and ink drawing, 16 x 22 ½” 2009, selling for $1,500.

Did you know that Jon is friends with a number of accomplished jazz musicians? Come check out his work in our current group show, “5: Come To Your Senses” open March 6-April 23, 2014 or see it online at http://www.fountaingallerynyc.com/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=214

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I would describe Fountain Gallery as a gallery for people with mental illness, but that doesn't in any way define the art. I don't think you can really distinguish between works by our artists and that of artists without a mental illness. I don't think there is a difference; I really don't. I think people come to the Gallery and look at the work, and it opens their eyes to what anybody can do.

-Deborah Standard

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FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY: Ariella Kadosh

It’s FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY! This Friday’s featured artist is Ariella Kadosh. Ariella’s preferred mediums are acrylic and paint marker. Her featured piece is “Touch Touch Me,” Mixed media texture collage, 12 x 12” 2014, selling for $175.

Did you know that Ariella is inspired by artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Georgia O’Keeffe? Come check out her work in our current group show, “5: Come To Your Senses” open March 6-April 23, 2014 or see it online at http://www.fountaingallerynyc.com/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=214

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FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY: Lawrence Rothschild

It’s FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY! This Friday’s featured artist is Lawrence Rothschild. Lawrence is a digital artist. His featured piece is “Cotton Candy,” computer graphic, 12 x 18” 2014, selling for $500.

Did you know that Lawrence has been involved in the design and fabrication of clothing, furniture, and chandeliers? Come check out his work in our current group show, “5: Come To Your Senses” open March 6-April 23, 2014 or see it online at http://www.fountaingallerynyc.com/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=21

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FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY: Elizabeth Borisov

It’s FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY! This Friday’s featured artist is Elizabeth Borisov. Elizabeth is a painter and drawer, who finds inspiration in the natural world. Her featured piece is “The Yellow Bouquet,” acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18” 2014, selling for $550. This piece is also featured on our postcard!

Did you know that Elizabeth was one of four artists featured in our “4 Women 4 Voices 4 Visions” show back in 2011? Come check out her work in our current group show, “5: Come To Your Senses” open March 6-April 23, 2014 or see it online at http://www.fountaingallerynyc.com/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=214

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5: Come to Your Senses

5: Come to Your Senses March 6, 2014 - April 23, 2014

This group show of more than 40 works invites viewers to “see, hear, taste, touch, smell.” Among the works presented in “5: Come to Your Senses” are: Davida Adedjouma’s mixed-media Hidden en Plein Air (Spring/Summer), an extravaganza of fabrics and found objects made to be touched; Osvaldo Cruz’s marker-on-paper Mmm Good, a visual sampling of tasty treats; and Jonathan Glass’s pen-and-ink Philippe Duchemin Trio at Duc des Lombards, which calls forth the sounds of jazz musicians in live performance. Also in the exhibit is Ariella Kadosh’s Artswirl, a limited edition of 6 “sets” to be experienced through both scent and sight; each “set” comprises a bottle of essential oil complemented by two miniature paint-marker works on canvas. The exhibit has been organized by Fountain Gallery Manager Ariel Willmott.