Art & Identity Conference

Art has long expressed our most profound sense of identity. From a child's drawing taped to the refrigerator to Michelangelo's ceiling isn the Sistene Chapel, art provides an expression of our most private and shared longings, fears, and hopes. This half-day symposium explored the use of the fine arts as a means of personal expression for persons whose identity may be threatened by severe and chronic medical conditions and major mental illness. In particular, this conference focused on the expression of ethnic identity through art.

A group of caregivers, educators, and artists gathered on the Saturday of Martin Luther King weekend, January 17, 2009, at The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury, MA to consider the relationship between Art & Identity. In conjunction with the conference, the museum was hosting an exhibition of work by patients at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital.

View photos from the conference online!

This symposium awarded three CEU's in either social work or psychology.

The program was sponsored by:
Shattuck Partners, Inc.
The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists
Boston College Graduate School of Social Work

Symposium Presentations moderated by Robert McMackin, Ed.D.:

E. Barry Gaither, Director of The Museum of the NationalCenter of Afro-American Artists
Mr. Gaither discussed Art as an Expression of Personal and Ethnic Identity. Mr. Gaither is known nationally in the arts as a panel chairman for the Expansion Arts Division of the National Endowment for the Arts as well as for overseeing the national competition for the Martin Luther King, Jr. bust in the nation's Capitol. He has collaborated for over six years with Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in bringing the arts to persons with severe medical illness and major mental illness.

Elaine Pinderhughes, Professor Emerita Boston College Graduate School of Social Work
Professor Pinderhughes discussed Race, Ethnicity and Identity Development. Professor Pinderhughes, former chair of the clinical sequence at Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, has authored numerous articles, book chapters and three books, including Understanding Race, Ethnicity & Power: The Key to Efficacy in Clinical Practice.

George Hunt, Artist
Mr. Hunt discussed Art and the Preservation of African-American Cultural Traditions. Mr. Hungt has been recognized with many awards including a Handy nomination for preserving Blues traditions, and as the commemorative artists of the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock school Desegregation. His work can be found in numerous museums, corporate and private collections.