M i d - M a n h a t t a n L i b r a r y

Presents

When Walls Become Doorways:

Creativity and Transforming Illness

an artist career development slide lecture by

Tobi Zausner

followed by an artists panel discussion with

Monona Rossol

Ben Schonzeit

Anne Thulin

Monday February 2, 2009

6:30 p.m. on the 6th floor

Mid-Manhattan Library

The New York Public Library

40th Street and 5th Avenue

New York, NY 10016

212-340-0871

Elevators access the 6th floor after 6p.m.

All events are FREE and subject to last minute change or cancellation.

In her intriguing book, When Walls Become Doorways: Creativity and the Transforming Illness, artist and educator Tobi Zausner discusses illness, its effects on creativity and the artists who clearly demonstrate that the worst of times can bring out the best in us. After Dr. Zausner’s slide presentation artists Monona Rossol, Ben Schonzeit and Anne Thulin will join her for a panel discussion.

Tobi Zausner, Ph.D. has an interdisciplinary doctorate in Art and Psychology. She is an art historian and an award-winning visual artist with works in major museums and private collections around the world. Dr. Zausner writes and lectures widely on the psychology of art and human potential at academic conferences and charitable events, while teaching at Long Island University and the Saybrook Graduate School. In 1989, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and her doctor did not think she would last a year. She recovered and her life transformed for the better.

Monona Rossol is the world’s leading expert in health hazards and the arts. She is also a ceramic artist, a chemist, an industrial hygienist, and dyslexic who taught herself to read. Over thirty years ago Rossol was diagnosed with a rare cancer, carcinoid syndrome and was not expected to live but she survived. Her life changed, her work changed and then she changed our world.

Ben Schonzeit a painter and photographer lost his left eye in a childhood accident. After two operations, Schonzeit spent months in a darkened room or wearing dark glasses. In spite of this, his mother bought him art supplies and said “Go make things.” During that time Schonzeit turned to art. His work is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and collections worldwide.

Anne Thulin lives both in Sweden and in New York. In 2001 she was diagnosed with breast cancer that spread to her lymph nodes. Determined to live she chose a strong type of chemotherapy and is well today. When Thulin recovered and returned to her studio, she could no longer make her old art. Instead, she found a new creative expression and her work transformed.