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A Portal to the Introspective at Esther Klein Gallery

PHILADELPHIA--(January 22, 2019) – Virtual reality and painted meditation are just a few of the sessions lined up for the closing reception of the Portal’s exhibit at the University City Science Center’s Esther Klein Gallery (EKG). The exhibit, which opened at EKG on December 13 and runs through January 29, highlights the benefits of art-making on physiological and psychological health. Portals will feature a series of closing events in conjunction with Venture Café Philadelphia on January 24.

A group exhibit by art therapists, educators and researchers, Portals explores how art-making can serve as an outlet to learning about one’s identity, enhancing physiological and psychological well-being and enabling interpersonal communication. The exhibit explores the artistic metaphor of the portal, which when practiced with authenticity, has the potential to connect across demographic differences, disparities, and abilities, serving as a refuge and sanctuary for the human condition.

Artists featured in the exhibit include Dr. Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC, Michele Rattigan, MA, ATR-BC, NCC, LPC; Nancy MacGregor, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS; Katrina Carroll-Haskins, MA; and Jessica Masino Drass, MA, ATR.

January 24 Portals Closing Reception Schedule

3-8 p.m. Virtual Reality Session at Esther Klein Gallery (pre-registration required)

Arun Ramakrishnan, PhD, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University

Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC Assistant Professor, Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University

Katrina Carroll-Haskins, MA, Art Therapist and Ph.D. candidate in Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University

4-5 p.m. Painted Meditation Session at Venture Café

Michele Rattigan, MA, ATR-BC, NCC, LPC, Assistant Clinical Professor at Drexel University

5-6 p.m. “But I’m Not an Artist: The surprising connections between arts and health” at Venture Café

Dr. Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC, Assistant Professor, Drexel University

Michele Rattigan, MA, ATR-BC, NCC, LPC, Assistant Clinical Professor, Drexel University

6-8 p.m. Portals Closing Reception at Esther Klein Gallery

Esther Klein Gallery is located at 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Venture Café is located across the street at 3675 Market Street, 3th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

About the Science Center

Located in the heart of uCity Square, the Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that catalyzes and connects innovation to entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. For 50+ years, the Science Center has supported startups, research, and economic development in the life sciences, healthcare, physical sciences, and emerging technology sectors. As a result, graduate firms and current residents of the Science Center’s incubator support one out of every 100 jobs in the Greater Philadelphia region and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. By providing resources and programming for any stage of a business’s lifecycle, the Science Center helps scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators take their concepts from idea to IPO – and beyond. For more information about the Science Center, go to www.sciencecenter.org

About the Esther Klein Gallery

The Esther Klein Gallery (EKG), which opened in 1977, uses the creative arts as a platform to explore relationships between art, science and technology. EKG seeks to positively impact the cultural life of both its immediate neighborhood of West Philadelphia and the broader Philadelphia community. EKG programming is designed to explore the range of art, science and technology exhibitions, and includes gallery talks, panel discussions, and education programs. For more information, visit www.sciencecenter.org/discover/ekg.

About Venture Café Philadelphia
With a presence in six cities including Boston/Cambridge, Miami, St. Louis, Rotterdam, Winston-Salem, Tokyo – and now Philadelphia, Venture Café offers free high-impact programming, with the goal of amplifying and showcasing the city’s thriving innovation ecosystem and partners. Venture Café is building a global movement to create stronger and more inclusive innovation ecosystems and accelerate and enhance the innovation process in cities around the world.

Media Contact:

Kristen Fitch

Kristen Fitch

Senior Director, Marketing