The Bridge Group Artists began twenty-three years ago under the direction of Judith Raskin Rosenthal, ATR. Many of the artists began with very little or no formal training. Eventually the group attracted individuals with some art education or experience. All have come to understand that the desire to create is in itself an expression of mental wellness and that—as artists—there is always room for growth. Over the past year, MoMA's Department of Education and The Bridge’s Art Department participated in their sixth annual extended partnership.

1. BRIDGE GROUP ARTISTS EXHIBITION
IMAGINATION
The Edward John Noble Education Center
at MoMA: October 4 ─ 30, 2011
The Bridge Gallery 300: Nov. 15 ─ Dec. 13, 2011

2. We dedicate this catalog to The Museum of Modern Art’s Community and Access Programs. Through the
exhibitions, discussions and critiques during the MoMA partnership, The Bridge Group Artists’ desire to create has
increased, as did their self-esteem. The sessions were life-changing. Thank you Francesca Rosenberg, Carrie
McGee and Gordon Sasaki for always going beyond the ordinary and exceeding our expectations.
We also dedicate the catalog and exhibitions to three organizations that have contributed time and resources to
promote the art and expand the horizons of the artists:
 Thank you to the Educational Foundation of America for recognizing the importance of the work of The
Bridge Group Artists. You have enabled them to keep growing, painting and exploring new artistic
horizons because of your continuous support.
 Thank you to the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation for your generous grant.
 Thank you to Ricoh Americas Corporation for your generous contribution of printing the 2011
Bridge/MoMA Exhibition Catalog.
Acknowledgments
We appreciate the continuous support of The Bridge Board of Directors, Executive Director Dr. Peter Beitchman
(who has encouraged our artists since the program’s inception 23 years ago), Deputy Director Dr. Robert
Yankowitz, PROS Director Sharon Gold, Director of Housing Development Carole Gordon and Director of
Development Ann Hyatt
THANK YOU
 Elena Olivo, Photographer, for photographing The Bridge Group Artists work for 2011 exhibitions
including catalog, invitation and slide show additions.
 Bo Okuyan, Metro Framart, for framing “Imagination” and your generosity to our group over the years.
 Joshua Shenk of Arts In Mind for your recognition and support of The Bridge Group Artists.
 Pearl Paint Manager Dinah Alderman Rengel and Lee Nolan for your help and generous discounts for
art supplies.
 Alex Banks, Bridge Director of Maintenance and staff Charles Melella, Rawle Holas and Conrad
Nichols for your invaluable help on all our art exhibitions.
 Robert Moore, ultimate volunteer, whose generous nature and appreciation of The Bridge Group Artists
has made the printing of our 2011 catalog possible.
 Ro Lohin of the Lohin Geduld Gallery for inviting our artists to her gallery to see all new exhibitions and
for inspiring them through seeing and discussing art.
 Denise Gutierrez, Bridge Executive Assistant, who coordinated and put together all facets of the 2011
catalog.
 Erica Ciporen, Social Media Specialist, for your help in promoting Bridge Group Artists through social
media.
 Anthony Tozza, Director of MIS, and Charles Mak for all the help you have given us.
Front Cover
NEW ENGLAND LANDSCAPE
By Robert Kaplan
Collage: Acrylic on Canvas

3. EGYPT ─ 2011
By Christopher Zavelo
Watercolor on Paper

4. IMAGINATION
“I close my eyes in order to see.”
-Paul Gauguin
The Bridge Group Artists began twenty-three years ago under the direction of Judith Raskin Rosenthal, ATR. Many of the
artists began with very little or no formal training. Eventually the group attracted individuals with some art education or
experience. All have come to understand that the desire to create is in itself an expression of mental wellness and that—as
artists—there is always room for growth.
Over the past year, MoMA's Department of Education and The Bridge’s Art Department participated in their sixth annual
extended partnership. Through this unique collaboration, artists from The Bridge and their art therapist met with MoMA
educators to explore new ideas and approaches to art at the Museum. Through guided tours and independent visits, the
Group learned about the perspectives and techniques of a variety of artists. Back at their studio at The Bridge, the artists
created a new body of work informed by their experiences.
IMAGINATION was chosen as the theme of this year’s partnership. Imagination can be defined as “the act or power of
forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality.” Putting these
images on paper, on canvas or in clay provides a way for artists to understand and express themselves. At MoMA, we
began by looking at some of the earliest works in the Collection to see how artists were championing imagination over
reality and depicting their individual experiences of the world. Through two special exhibitions, German Expressionism: The
Graphic Impulse and Impressions from South Africa: 1965 to Now, we explored the ways in which artists from different
countries—and different centuries—commented on their social, political and private worlds through their art. In Picasso:
Guitars 1912-1914, we examined and discussed Picasso’s material and structural experimentation.
Inspired by the techniques and approaches of the artists whose work they viewed at the Museum, the Bridge artists pushed
themselves into new territory. They were encouraged to take their best work and push it further, to mine their imaginations
and try new techniques. Their subject matter ranged from New York City to India to an imagined aerial view of Springfield—
home of The Simpsons—and beyond, to animals and abstractions. Some began using color in a non-representational
manner. Leaves were purple, lips were green and eyes red. Materials and tools were used imaginatively as well. One artist
began repeatedly tracing the rim of a paper cup in order to form shells, snakes and abstract compositions. Another spoke of
overcoming fears and being inspired by the newfound freedom that came with being aesthetically daring. Everyone explored
new ground.
We admire and would like to thank them, for it is their talent and dedication that make this collaboration a success.
Carrie McGee, and Gordon Sasaki, The Museum of Modern Art
Judith Raskin Rosenthal, The Bridge

5. After visiting Picasso: Guitars 1912-1914 at MoMA, artist Chris Zavelo created this work based on his memory of observing visitors in the exhibition.
PICASSO AT MOMA
By Christopher Zavelo
Watercolor on Paper

6. VAMPIRE BITE
By Glenn Grancio
Acrylic on Canvas

7. HARRY POTTER
By Glenn Grancio
Acrylic on Board

8. SPRINGFIELD ─ HOME OF THE SIMPSONS
By Ira Brewer
Graphite on Paper

9. MY MENU OF CHOICE
By Ira Brewer
Acrylic on Canvas

10. THE COOP-SELF PORTRAIT IN BLUE
By Scott Zwiren
Graphite on Paper

11. THE PEACOCK
By Scott Zwiren
Mixed Media

12. THE STORE
By Francisco Ortiz
Markers on Paper

13. THE SLAVE AND THE SHARK
By Francisco Ortiz
Markers on Paper

14. UNTITILED
By Jennifer Gilliam
Mixed Media
In Memoriam
These pages depict two of Jennifer’s many art styles, which ranged from realism to abstraction. She was wonderfully
innovative, experimenting with food coloring, glitter, wood, glass and wire, along with traditional art materials. She was also
a skilled jewelry designer, and her jewelry was featured in a trendy Upper West Side boutique. The MoMA partnership was
a highlight in her life. After coming to MoMA she decided to go back to art school to refresh her drawing skills. Recently, she
was featured in NY Portraits, a book about talented New York artists with disabilities by Gordon Sasaki. The book shows a
beautiful photograph of Jennifer accompanied by a text that describes her close relationship with her daughter, Quentin.
The group appreciated her talent, intellect and her interest in other people. I will always remember her generous spirit, as
well as her extraordinary talent. We all miss her.
Judith Raskin-Rosenthal and the Bridge Group Artists

15. SELF PORTRAIT
By Jennifer Gilliam
Mixed Media

16. OPEN MARKET IN INDIA
By Serguei Lanqetot
Collage –Mixed Media

17. SELF PORTRAIT
By Serguei Lanquetot
Graphite on Paper

18. GIRL IN BLUE
By James Sneed
Acrylic on Board

19. PICASSO DESIGN
By James Sneed
Acrylic on Board

20. TYRANASAURUS
By Michael Blamo
Twisties Tissues and Acrylic

21. NEW YORK CITY ─ WEST 103 ST.
By Michael Blamo
Watercolor on Paper

22. LAUNDRY DAY
By Patricia Doherty
Oil on Canvas

23. PANTONE – MASK (Wearable Art)
By Patricia Doherty
Plastic Clay, Feathers, and Leather

24. SHELLS
By Rosalia Silva
Cups - Graphite on Paper

25. FLOWERS AND SNAKE
By Rosalia Silva
Cups - Graphite on Paper

26. STUDY OF A MAN
By Robert Kaplan
Acrylic on Canvas

27. HEMINGWAY
By Robert Kaplan
Acrylic on Canvas

28. LITTLE VILLAGE
By James Sneed
Graphite on Paper

29. THE GORILLA
By Francisco Ortiz
Markers on Paper

30. WHITE RACCOON MEDITATION
By Glenn Grancio
Acrylic on Canvas

31. Bridge Group Artists
Past and Present
Ira Brewer Robert Kaplan
Louis Michelle
Suzannah Hadron Cheryl
Helen Bernice
Vibart Toussaint Lisa
Nathan Berman Joseph Melendez
Greg Dologlou Wordell Alexander
James Sneed Jill Friedman
Diana Helayne Butler
Victor Hernandez Calvin Fraley
Jennifer Gilliam Isidro Astacio
Carmen Scott Zwiren
Cara Leslie Yvonne A. Blanco
Adrienne Wilson Dillon Rickets
Judith K. Bouck Jayce Kim
Linda Mayer Shirley Hodges
Eloise Robinson John Denson
Edria Wolf
Gwendolyn Simms Quimet Rodriguez
Serguei Lanquetot Madelyn Padilla
Rita Iashaieva Peter Brown
Casey Tillman Amburse White
Patricia Doherty Christopher Gaskin
Caroline Blount Kimberly Ceasar
Francisco Ortiz Rosalie Clinton
Glenn Grancio Olvis Ciprian
Valda Maida Amy Berlin
Marcia Glover Michael Blamo
Christopher Zavelo Rosalia Silva
Lauren Voorhaus
Back Cover
BIRDS EYE HEART
By Patricia Doherty
Oil on Canvas

32. The Bridge’s mission is to change lives by offering help, hope and opportunity to the most vulnerable in our
community through mental health and substance abuse treatment, housing, vocational training and job
placement, healthcare, education and creative arts therapy.
248 West 108th Street
New York, NY 10025
www.thebridgeny.org
212-663-3000