Art Saves Lives - Richview Public Library Exhibit

July - Sept 2015 - 28 piece of art exhibited

Exhibition for the month of August at Richview Public Library Art Gallery for the Pan Am/ Para Pan Am Games for The City of Toronto. Reception and artist talk TBA. Art Saves Lives is the first joint exhibition of Angela Chao and Lisa Anita Wegner, two visual artists whose work grew out of brain injuries they had experienced. Angela suffered a concussion at her work on a film set, while Lisa lives with post-traumatic stress disorder.

They connected over their art being the way out of their personal traumas, allowing them to both function and stay connected to their true selves. They share an understanding of art as something they need on a daily basis to nourish their souls, and are so simpatico on this, that they refer to themselves as each other’s “Brain Buddies.”

Angela and Lisa are eager to share their stories and their art, helping to spread awareness to others that art is a very real therapeutic option.

Come to see their show of paintings, post-production photography and collage on display for the month of August at the gallery at Richview Library.
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After a concussion curtailed her first career, ANGELA CHAO discovered cranio-therapy and found herself able to think freely and begin to escape the personality and mental changes, PTSD, depression and anxiety that had plagued her since her accident. Even more exhilarating, she could sit still and accomplish things, an ability that had been taken from her. She started doodling and discovered her hidden artist, and a place where she can leave behind mental challenges and be free to create. In her new career as an artist, she has already won an award at the Art Square gallery where her work premiered, as well as Flight Centre’s first prize of a trip to New Zealand and Australia in a competition with 1800 artists. She recently competed in Art Battle 2015, and has donated her artwork to an AIDs charity event at TIFF. In addition, her unique story has generated coverage by the Mississauga News, Brain Injury Association and Hospital News.

LISA ANITA WEGNER is the creative producer of Mighty Brave Productions, a small award-winning multi-media production company based in Toronto. She has been exploring film, video, post-production photography and performance art for over twenty years, with an emphasis on emotional authenticity, collaboration, and – since experiencing a PTSD-related breakdown, the possibilities of art as therapy. Her work has been shown at the Phoenix Art Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Gallery 1313, Moniker Gallery, Toronto Art Fair, Buddies in Bad Times, The Black Cat Artspace, NXNE Festival, Partners In Art’s ARTrageous In Motion, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche and, most recently, at the RAW Sensory show at Toronto’s Mod Club

​Solo Exhibition of Art Therapy  
Richview Public Library by Angela Chao
June 24, 2015 to July 31, 2015
Art can be picked up August 1, 2015
Address: 1806 Islington Ave, Toronto, ON M9P 3N3
Phone:(416) 394-5120
Hours: 
Monday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:30 – 5:00 pm

​Angela's Background:
I am a camera assistant in the Toronto film industry for the last 10 year of my life. The past 1.5 years I have suffered three concussions due to on set accidents. 
Shortly after my first concussion I had discovered an unreal talent and became an ‘artist.’ I painted and drew things that helped me relieve my depression, anxiety, stress and other symptoms from post concussion syndrome. I continue to create art as my form of therapy. I have created over 300+ pieces in over a year’s time since drawing.
The term and my name, Mindless doodles means creations coming out of my mind that are not pre-thought or conceived, they are genuine and true to what I am currently feeling in my state of mind.
Angela's Mission Statement:
I choose to create art that is based on how I feel and the struggles I am going through with my concussions. I am conquering mental barriers like depression and anxiety, personality changes, lack of motivation and PTSD and I choose to be a good role model to those who have had a concussion.
My goal in the future is to create a charity foundations for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury like a concussion and help them find their therapy whether its creative visual arts, dramatic arts, or other forms.
In joint collaboration with Lisa Anita Wegner we have started an art therapy collaboration called www.ArtSavesLives.ca
I have been given many great opportunities to speak at a gallery about mental barriers. I have written two articles one for the Brain Injury association about my concussion case and Hospital Newspaper about medical changes that should happen when dealing with concussion or mental illness. 
I have entered and won a creative contest through Flight centre and will be traveling to Australia and New Zealand in the month of July. Any inquires can be made to [email protected] 
This showing at Richview Public Library will display 30+ pieces of art work from battling my mental illness and symptoms linked to my concussion. Please enjoy the show. All pieces of art are for sale and can be picked up after the show on August 1, 2015

Here is a sneak peek of Angela Chao's July solo exhibition titled "Concussion Unlocks Inner Artist: Angela Chao". Curated by Jinkie David for The City of Toronto. Friday this exhibition got Mayoral approval (the Mayor said he dug it).