A collection of powerful artwork by individuals recovering from mental illness is now on public display at the Empire State Plaza Concourse in Albany, celebrating creativity and resilience during Mental Health Awareness Month.
The exhibition features 60 reproductions from the Living Museum at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens, a pioneering art studio where patients use creative expression as part of their recovery journey. The display will remain open through the end of May.
“This beautiful artwork by artists from the Living Museum is on display at the Empire State Plaza Concourse through the end of May for Mental Health Awareness Month,” said Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health. “It showcases the remarkable talent of these artists and is a powerful message of hope and recovery for all New Yorkers living with mental health challenges.”
Each piece is accompanied by a photo and personal statement from the artist, offering a glimpse into the stories behind the art. A virtual gallery of the exhibition is also available online.
Established in 1983 on Creedmoor’s campus in Queens Village, the Living Museum transformed a former cafeteria into a haven for artistic healing. It now spans 45,000 square feet and houses more than 10,000 works of art, along with a performance space for musicians.
“The Living Museum is a world-class program of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center,” said Dr. Martha Sullivan, Creedmoor’s Executive Director. “This exhibit is representative of the recovery so many of our patients have achieved and the high-quality inpatient, residential and outpatient care we provide.”
Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy added, “We hope this exhibit at the Empire State Plaza will help erase the stigma associated with mental illness and that art will continue serving as an outlet for those on the way to recovery.”
Dr. Mitra Reyhani Ghadim, Director of the Living Museum, emphasized its unique environment: “Free from outside pressures, the Living Museum provides an inviting space for Creedmoor patients to express themselves, process their feelings, and communicate their thoughts.”
The public is encouraged to visit the concourse-level gallery at the south end of Empire State Plaza before the end of May.
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