Art, Design & Dine adds CRMC exhibit by Dr. Kevin Robinett to its Sept. 13 artwalk

Art, Design & Dine Artwalk adds a new venue this month.

The Cheyenne Regional Medical Center exhibit, “Graphic Art as a Process,” features paintings by Dr. Kevin Robinett. Dr. Robinett is a psychiatrist who has practiced medicine in Cheyenne for 16 years. His paintings will be displayed in the hospital’s north hallway through December.

Cheyenne Regional began “Art is Healing” in 2011. The series highlights artwork created by members of Cheyenne’s medical community. Dr. Robinett is the third medical professional to have artwork featured.

An artist’s reception for Dr. Robinett will be held September 13, 5 to 8 p.m., in the north hallway as part of Art, Design & Dine. The reception is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

For more information about “Art is Healing,” call 633-7461 or 432-3666.

NPR's Health blog: Singing therapy is proving effective for stroke patients

Laurel Fontaine, 16, (left) and her twin sister Heather. When Laurel was 11 years old, she suffered a stroke that destroyed 80 percent of the left side of her brain. The singing therapy helped her regain the ability to speak. 

From "Shots," NPR's Health blog:

Debra Meyerson was hiking near Lake Tahoe 15 months ago when a stroke destroyed part of the left side of her brain, leaving her literally speechless. It happens to more than 150,000 Americans a year. 

But now Meyerson is learning to talk again through an approach that trains the undamaged right side of her brain to "speak." Specifically, it's a region that controls singing.For more than 100 years, it's been known that people who can't speak after injury to the speech centers on the left side of the brain can sing. 

In the 1970s, Boston researchers started to use a sort of "singing therapy" to help stroke survivors speak again. 

However, it never caught on much – perhaps because a lot of therapists, not to mention patients, weren't comfortable singing what they wanted to say. And back then, the science wasn't advanced enough to show the actual changes in the brain that result from the therapy. 

That's changing fast.

Sheridan author Abbie Johnson Taylor reflects on her new book and her role as "family caregiver"

Wyomingarts picked this up from the Wyoming Writers, Inc., listserv. Abbie Johnson Taylor of Sheridan is a long-time member of both WyoPoets and WWInc. She’s a prolific writer, singer, full-time caregiver for her husband Bill, and an activist for the visually impaired. This info is about her new book, followed by a Q&A. Inspiring reading for the holiday season:

How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver is a book of poems just released by author Abbie Johnson Taylor of Sheridan and published by iUniverse. In January of 2006, the author’s husband suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side. After months of therapy in a nursing facility, he returned home in September of that year. Although he still had little use of his left arm and leg, it was hoped that through outpatient therapy, he would eventually walk again. In January of 2007, he suffered a second stroke that wasn’t as severe, but it was enough to impact his recovery. In August of that year, his therapy was discontinued because he showed no progress. He has never walked since.

The first five poems in the book tell the story of how Taylor found her husband when he suffered his first stroke, detail events in the first few months afterward, and describe Taylor and her husband’s reactions. The rest of the poems in the first part were inspired by Taylor’s experiences while caring for her husband. Covering such topics as dressing, feeding, toileting, their relationship, and his computer, 
they often provide a humorous outlook. Some poems are from the husband’s point of view. Poems in the next two parts cover childhood memories and other topics. The last section of poems was inspired by Taylor’s fifteen years of experience as a registered music therapist in a nursing home before marrying her husband.

Abbie Johnson Taylor’s novel, We Shall Overcome, was published by iUniverse in July of 2007. Her fiction has appeared in Magnets and Ladders and Emerging Voices, her poetry in Distant Horizons, her creative nonfiction in Christmas in the Country and SageScript. She is President of WyoPoets and secretary of Behind Our Eyes and is involved with other writers’ groups including Sheridan Range Writers, Wyoming Writers, and Explorations in Creative Writing. She also participates in a monthly poetry critique group. When not writing or caring for Bill, she facilitates a support group for the visually impaired, sings with a women’s group called Just Harmony, and participates in water exercise 
classes at the YMCA. Please visit her blog at http://abbiescorneroftheworld.blogspot.com and website at http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com

How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver, ISBN #978-1-4620-6794-7, is available from iUniverse, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. Links to where the book can be ordered on these sites can be found at http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/bettermousetrap.htm Copies can also be ordered from the author by calling (307) 674-6109.

Q&A with Abbie Johnson Taylor

Q. Where were you born, and where did you grow up?

A. I was born in New York City on June 1st, 1961. We only lived there for about a year. My parents had degrees in education, but they wanted to become actors. However, they realized that teaching careers would provide a more stable income. After a year in New York, we moved to Boulder, Colorado. When I was about four, we moved to Tucson, Arizona. In 1973, we moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. My grandfather died a couple of years earlier, and my grandmother needed someone to run the family’s coin-operated machine business. Since no one else seemed interested, my father felt obligated to take over. Sheridan has been my home ever since.

Q. Because of your visual impairment, were you educated in special schools?

A. In Tucson, I attended the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind for five and a half years. When my parents became dissatisfied with my education, they transferred me to a public school. When we moved to Sheridan, I completed my education in public schools.

Q. Where did you go to college?

A. When I graduated from high school in 1980, I thought I wanted to be a rock singer. I went to Sheridan College for two years where I majored in music performance and graduated with an AA degree. I then transferred to Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, where I again majored in music performance and graduated with a BA degree after two and a half years. While I was there, a career counselor told me about music therapy, the use of music with a variety of populations including the elderly and mentally ill to achieve therapeutic goals. Since Montana State University had a music therapy program, I transferred there after graduating from Rocky Mountain College. After two more years of study and an internship in a nursing home in Fargo, North Dakota, I returned to Sheridan in 1988. Almost a year later, I found a job conducting activities in a nursing home where I used the 
music therapy skills I learned.

Q. You’re not working there now?

A. No, I quit so I could write full time.

Q. Was that when your writing career got off the ground?

A. No, I started writing a few years before I quit my day job. Several of my poems and stories were published in various journals and anthologies, and I wrote my first novel We Shall Overcome. When I 
married my husband Bill, he persuaded me to write full time.

Q. How much vision do you have, and do you use any adaptive devices to make your life easier?

A. I can see people, objects, places, and some pictures. I can read print if it’s large enough. I use a desktop video magnifier, and my computer has software that reads the screen to me in synthetic speech, allows me to navigate using the keyboard, and tells me what I’m typing. I use a white cane while walking around town.

Q. Where did you get the idea for How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver?

A. In January of 2006, three months after we were married, Bill suffered a stroke that left his left side paralyzed. He spent months in a nursing facility where he received therapy and finally came home the 
following September. At that time, I found myself writing more poems about him and the trials and tribulations of being a family caregiver.

Q. Where did you come up with the title?

A. I’ll have to give our caseworker at the local senior center’s in-home services program most of the credit for that. Several years ago, one of the aides who gave Bill his shower three days a week claimed the process of transferring him from the bed to the commode was bothering her back. Our caseworker said, “I wish I knew how to build a better mousetrap.” That’s what being a caregiver is about. You 
sometimes have to find different ways of doing things, and it can be especially tricky when you can’t see very well. You often figure things out by trial and error.

Q. Are all the poems in the book about taking care of Bill?

A. No, the majority cover such topics as feeding, dressing, and toileting. Some are from Bill’s point of view. One in particular is from the point of view of his computer which he has trouble using because of his lack of short-term memory and use of his left arm. Some poems provide a humorous outlook on being a family caregiver. Others offer a heartwarming look at our relationship. Poems in the second and third parts of the book cover childhood memories and reflect on other topics. The last part contains poems inspired by my fifteen years experience working with nursing home residents.

Q. Bill is still in a wheelchair today?

A. Yes, when he came home in 2006, we hoped that through outpatient therapy, he would eventually walk again. But in January of 2007, he suffered a second stroke that wasn’t as severe, but it was enough to impact his recovery. In august of that year, his therapy was discontinued because he wasn’t showing any progress. He may never walk again, but that doesn’t matter. We love each other, and we’ll enjoy our life together for as long as we can.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish by publishing this book?

A. If anything, I want others in my situation to know they’re not alone. Fortunately for me, Bill is still relatively healthy and mentally alert. The only great challenges I face are the physical ones involved with his personal care, and I’m thankful for the help I get from the senior center’s in-home services program. But others are harder to care for because of Alzheimer’s’ or other more serious medical problems. Their loved ones should know that help is available. Our local senior center has a support group for caregivers and other services, and I’m sure senior centers in other communities have similar 
programs. Caregivers should seek out such help and not feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities.

"Art is Healing" new community outreach for Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

This inaugural exhibit in this new community outreach art program is "Through the Eyes of a Chaplain," showcases mixed media by Kathleen Jacobson, as associate chaplain at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

From the brochure accompanying this exhibit, the artist shares her inspiration:

My paintings are based on interactions I had with patients in 2010 through 2011. They are intriguing stories that weave together patients' medical conditions and spirituality. The narratives range from spiritual awakenings to end-of-life and near-death visions. I purposely left the door open for interpretation by each viewer--so did not include the stories with the paintings. Every person sees life through the filter of his or her own unique life skills.

The exhibit will be on display in the north hallway of the medical center from December 2011-February 2012. An artist's reception will be held on December 8, from 5-8 pm, in conjunction with Cheyenne's monthly art walk, Art Design and Dine.

Save the Date -- Wyoming Art for the Cure 4/29/11

Attention artists! Save the Date: April 29, 2011.

Mark your calendars now! Wyoming Art for the Cure will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 6-9 p.m . at Little America Hotel & Resort.

Get more info -- and view last year's entries -- at http://www.komenwyoming.org/wyomingartforthecure

Indian Country Today: Eyeglass frames feature Native art

Liz Bent of the Penticton Indian Band of British Columbia is seen recently at the Wellpinit powwow wearing the "Coyote Moon" eyeglass frame design by Smoker Marchand. Photo by Jackie McNeel. 

From a story in the Oct. 13 edition of Indian Country Today by Jack McNeel:

SPOKANE, Wash. – Wearable art is nothing new. We wear all forms of jewelry and clothing inspired by Native artists, but something new is available and designed particularly with Native Americans in mind. Eyeglass frames with designs created by Smoker Marchand, a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, Arrow Lakes Band, are the latest in wearable art.

The company producing these frames is Encore Vision, Inc. located in Spokane, Wash. It’s not a Native-owned company but General Manager Teri Harris said their focus will be the Native American niche and she plans to expand their offerings to include designs from Indian artists throughout the country, thus providing a wide variety of styles and designs. Marchand is the first artist to be signed and was told at the time that others would follow.

"They told me from the get-go that they’re looking for different Indian artists from different areas. They’d like to incorporate that and I said that’s no problem.”

Read the rest of the story here.

"Wind & Wisdom: A Wyoming Story" at the Ark Creative Arts Program in Laramie

Wyoming Governor's Arts Awards winner Ark Creative Arts Program in Laramie will be presenting "Wind & Wisdom: A Wyoming Story" on Friday and Saturday, June 25-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 27, at 2 p.m.

If you have attended previous Ark productions, you know how wonderful they are. If you've never attended one, you really should attend at some point - both to see the production, and to see the wonderful Creative Arts Center facilities. They always have a visual arts exhibition in their lobby for each production, too.

Tickets are free, but reservations are essential, as they always run out of seats. Call 307-742-6641 and ask for Bob Sell if you are interested in reserving seats.

Be sure to arrive early, as a reservation does not mean you have a specific seat saved for you. Seating is first come, first served for those with reservations. People who don't show up at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the show lose their seats to others who are on a waiting list, and standing by for seats.

UW sculpture project to air on Wyoming PBS

A documentary by UWTV, "Imagine Learning from the Masters: Public Art and Community Partnership" will air on Wyoming PBS on Sunday, Spetember 13 at 5:30 p.m. The film, narrated and filmed by UWTV's Mary Jung, features interviews with several of the artists who contributed work to the exhibition, "Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational." In addition to hearing from artists such as James Surls, Patrick Dougherty and John Henry, the documentary includes comments from UW and city administrators.

"Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational" was organized by the UW Art Museum in the summer of 2008, during a time when the Museum's galleries were closed for renovation. The exhibition has sparked an over-year-long discussion on public art and continues to receive enthusiastic responses. A public art symposium was held in April, during which time the documentary was first shown. The Wyoming Arts Council was a co-sponsor of the art symposium.

Photo: Artwork from "Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational." John Kearney (American, b. 1921), "Alligator," chrome plated steel, welded 26.5"x115"x24", UW Art Museum collection, gift of Harris P. Klein 1973.4.

Hammocking as an art form

Go Hammocking! from Bland Hoke on Vimeo.

FMI: http://centerofwonder.blogspot.com

Apply now for "Arts in Healthcare" grants

Johnson & Johnson, working in partnership with the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, seeks to promote the use of the arts to enhance the healthcare experience for patients, their families, and caregivers. From 2001–2009, grants have been provided to 117 programs in the United States and Canada representing leading models and initiatives in high-quality healthcare through the use of arts. Proposals are now being sought from healthcare and/or arts organizations that have established arts in healthcare programs with evidence of initial impact.

Deadline is Oct. 15, 2009

FMI: http://thesah.org/template/page.cfm?page_id=15

UW prof honored for Photovoice Project

From a UW press release:

University of Wyoming College of Education faculty member Kent Becker's innovative effort to use photography to raise awareness of children's mental health needs was recently honored by UPLIFT Wyoming, a division of the National Federation of Families.

Becker, a UW Department of Counselor Education associate professor, received UPLIFT's 2008 Making A Difference Advocacy Award for his work establishing the Wyoming SAGE Photovoice Project (http://www.photovoicewyoming.com/).

Becker received the award during UPLIFT's banquet, held in conjunction with the Governor's Roundtable on Children's Mental Health.

"This had a lot of meaning for me," Becker says. "The Photovoice Project is geared toward increasing awareness around children's mental health, about hearing their voices. To be given an award by this group really means a lot to me."

Photovoice is a technique that combines equal parts photography, research, group process, storytelling, social action and development of awareness of personal and community issues.

"The project's focus is toward the experiences of youths and families who have been in residential treatment or who have been clearly on the verge of being placed," Becker explains.
Peggy Nikkel, UPLIFT executive director, describes the qualities that Becker's selection represents.

"The outstanding qualities of Kent's advocacy efforts through Photovoice are his compassion and empathy for youth and families struggling with mental health and substance abuse," she says. "He is able to combine this with his diverse educational and clinical background to support parents and youth in becoming a dynamic voice for change in Wyoming."

Roundtable participants witnessed the project's power during a plenary session featuring the work of Becker and students in UW's counselor education doctoral program. Project participants also presented a narrated slide show featuring representative profiles. Presenters included Photovoice Project participants Lori Hutchinson and Susan Bentley and doctoral students Michael Bishop, Kelly Hubbell, Kristin Douglas and Konja Klepper.

Fellow counselor education faculty member Serena Lambert is the project's co-researcher. A qualitative research expert, Lambert will collaborate with Becker on data analysis and publishing related to the Wyoming SAGE Photovoice Project.

For more information, contact Becker at (307) 766-3123 or e-mail kwbecker@uwyo.edu.

"Arts and Aging Toolkit" available

Creativity Matters: The Arts and Aging Toolkit, written by Johanna Misey Boyer of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), describes "strategies for enhancing health in older adults through participatory arts programs." The toolkit was published by the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA), the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Copies are available for $35, and may be purchased through the National Guild office at 212-268-3337 ext. 16.

Pilot program helps Wyoming veterans

From Mike Shay:

The following isn't primarily an arts issue, but it is one that affects us all. Art and art therapy are playing a big part in mental health issues. The Cheyenne V.A. Hospital runs an annual arts competition and exhibition. The National Endowment for the Arts sponsors Operation Homecoming, a program that offers writing workshops for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. There are similar programs all over the U.S.

I've served on the Governor's Mental Health Planning Council. Writing poetry or painting a picture can't begin to address the many mental health challenges facing the state's citizens, in general, and returning combat veterans, in particular. But it can play a part. See the links on the right sidebar for arts resources in your community.

Larry D. Barttelbort, executive director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, sent out this press release today:

A joint venture pilot program between the Wyoming Military Department, Wyoming Veterans Commission, and the Wyoming Department of Health will ensure Wyoming Veterans are connected with state and federal resources. This pilot program is based on a recommendation from Wyoming's Veterans Mental Health Task Force. We have combined end-of-biennium funds to hire two contract Veteran's Advocates. They will link our Wyoming Veterans, their families, and their employers directly with state and federal resources. We will use Wyoming Military Department federal resources to assist with scheduling, data collection and reporting.

This program will help Veterans overcome the stigma of seeking help and help them connect with these wonderful resources. The advocates will meet with the Veteran, the family, and the employer to ensure the Veteran is using all the resources available to them.

Wyoming is also blessed with two of the finest VA Medical Centers in the U.S., at Sheridan and Cheyenne. The VA's Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Casper, Gillette, Green River, Newcastle, Powell, Riverton and Rock Springs provide outstanding care. The Vet Centers in Cheyenne and Casper provide confidential mental health counseling and also provide contract services in some outlying areas.

If you are approached about a Wyoming Veteran experiencing problems with readjustment issues at home, with friends, or at work don't hesitate to call one of our advocates or the VA resources.

Veteran's Advocates:
Leon Chamberlain (307) 359-2430 (Northern Wyoming)
David Hall (307) 631-3736 (Southern Wyoming)
VA Health Information 1-877-222-8387

FMI: Larry D. Barttelbort, 307-772-5016