Visual Arts League  & HARTS

Photos from the show 

The exhibit will be featured on EBTV July 8th, 2003

  What: “MARIA'S CHILDREN” International: Russian Orphan Art Exhibit.

Speaker-Ian Rossman- a discussion about Ian’s 16-day adventure as a clown in Moscow and St. Petersburg.   Ian is a second year medical student from the University of Medicine and Dentistry-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

 Where: East Brunswick Public Library

 When: Wednesday, July 2, 2003 

 Time: 7pm- 9pm

 In his own words:

My name is Ian Rossman, and I've just completed my second year of medical school at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  While many of my classmates were preparing for our upcoming exams, I spent the first two weeks of November touring Russia with an international group of clowns, and Dr. Patch Adams!

 I received funding from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism In Medicine to participate in this Patch Adams Clown Tour.  On this trip we performed at various orphanages, hospitals, cancer centers, and homes for the aged, around Moscow and St. Petersburg.  While in Moscow we toured with Maria Yelesiyeva, founder of Maria's Children, an art rehabilitation program for orphans, and a number of her "children."  The artwork created by these children is bursting with imagination, creativity and love, sentiments rarely expressed or encouraged in orphanage life.  These stark contrasts between reality and expression truly moved me; I wanted the members of our community to see the healing power of art, free expression, team work, laughter, and love, and it was with this in mind that I worked to bring the artwork of Maria's Children to New Jersey.

 I hope you will join me for a discussion about my 16-day adventure as a clown in Moscow and St. Petersburg.   I will show pictures of my trip, of Patch Adams, as well as a video illustrating Maria's Children and their successes.  This trip taught me so much about the healing power of laughter, the need for cultural sensitivity, and above all every person deserves the same respect, compassion, and understanding, regardless of his or her station in life.  These lessons have permeated my medical education, and I hope to pass them on to all who will join me!  Remember, there WILL be balloons, bubbles, laughing, and of course, clowning!  I hope you will join me!

 Sincerely,

Ian Rossman