WVSA ArtsConnection has graciously included Joe's art work in the current Gallery Showing, "yesterday, today, & tomorrow" which opened August 13th in the WVSA Gallery in downtown Washington D.C. The exhibit runs through October 7th.
The exhibition of Joe's work explores the connections between creativity and depression and between depression and suicide.
The WVSA Gallery is a wonderful, vibrant outlet for the art works created by program participants and offered for display and sale to the public.
We are excited by the opportunity to showcase Joe's works in this most appropriate setting.
Original Art Items Offered For Sale
Please take some time to review the original art items offered for sale. Currently, a selection of note cards and greeting cards are available--each produced by members of Joe's family and using Joe's original art work.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these items will be donated to the organizations identified by Joe's family to receive contributions. At this time the organizations are:
Please visit the websites of these organizations to learn more about the important work they are doing.
Page Added: "About Depression"
Joe was diagnosed with Major Depression shortly before he died. As we have delved deeper into what it means to have depression, we have encountered information which we feel is important to share. There is a link between depression and suicide. There is also a link between depression and creativity. It is these two links that we want to explore on this page, and indeed, on this website.
Take a few minutes to review the Depression and Suicide Awareness test or listen to a program that originally aired on National Public Radio about explorations into the brain chemistry associated with suicide.
Portable Display Now Available
A selection of Joe's art work, along with information about the links between creativity, depression and suicide has been made into a portable exhibit.
Click here to learn more about the exhibit and how you can request it for display at your location.
A Life Too Short
exploring connections
between creativity and depression
and between depression and suicide
ANN ARBOR, MI - The brains of people with severe depression have lower levels of several related molecules that are key to the development, organization, growth and repair of the brain than the brains of people without the disease, or those with the bipolar form of depression, a new study finds.
"Running for Someone Else's Life" Katy has discovered an organization in Boston dedicated to reducing the incidence of suicide. Ths Samaritans of Boston are holding a 5K Road Race to raise funds for their organization. The event will be held in Brighton, MA on Saturday, October 2nd. Katy is planning to run and some of her co-workers plan to join her. For details on how to pledge your support, contact Katy or Gary at the email addresses shown below:
ksawyer@suffolk.edu
gsawyer799@aol.com
For more information about the Samaritans of Boston, click here to be directed to their website. Thank you.
The Samaritans of Boston held their sixth annual 5K "Run for Someone Else's Life" on Saturday, October 2nd to raise funds for their suicide prevention efforts. Our team, "Joggers for Joe" , was well represented--thirteen runners participating. We were also pleased with the response to Joe's art work that we brought to display. All in all, a great day and an uplifting way to remember Joe. (click here for team picture)
Click here to add text.
October 16, 2004
"What is that sound...it can't be the alarm clock already..."
And so it began at 4:45 a.m....the day we would be successful in recreating the hike that Joe and Andrea and I did in 2001. "The Baldface Circle Trail is one of the most attractive trips in the White Mountains. This is a strenuous trip that should not be underestimated." (From The Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide)
As the picture attests, Katy and I made it to the summit--the same summit reached when we made the hike with Joe. Katy's fitness training paid off...she set a daunting pace with ease.(click to continue)
Summit Achievement
Summit Achievement (continued)
I, on the other hand, represented the tortoise in the oft told story...except I never did overtake the hare. As it turned out, we had a beautiful day for our assault on the summit. The fall colors were resplendent and the storms of the previous days had left the air fresh and clean. In hindsight, maybe we should have been a bit more attentive to a number of hiking details "...not to be underestimated." For example, there were far fewer cars in the parking lot at the trail head...and the two people we did see were carrying a rake and shovel in addition to their standard hiking gear. Read on...
No "strenuous trip" would be complete without incident...and our adventure was no exception. Fortunately, neither Katy nor I suffered any serious injury...unless perhaps, you count injured pride. It turns out the couple we encountered was heading up the same trail as we were...to meet friends who were the official AMC volunteers responsible for maintenance of that section of trail. Their work party was busy clearing and digging new channels for the rush of water draining down the trail. After a quick conversation with them, we were on our way...mindful of the press of time and now concerned about the added challenge of hiking a trail that was more like a running stream in sections. "What time does the sun set today?"
A short distance up the trail...and still well within the 'easier to turn around than go ahead' range of the hike, we encountered the first of several stream crossings required on the trail. Now, bear in mind that Katy and I had attempted this same hike the weekend before, but couldn't finish it due to time. The runoff of two days rain made the stream that we easily rock-hopped the previous weekend present a much more daunting obstacle. As we began to look upstream and downstream in search of a bridge of conveniently located boulders, I stepped confidently onto a rock on my way to a better vantage point... only to suddenly have a water level view! Yes, I had fallen in. Both feet and the sitting down portion of my jeans were immersed in the rushing water. Now what?
"Do you have a backpack? How about a good pair of hiking socks?" Andrea's motherly questions to me before the hike, which I of course answered in the affirmative. Good advice...especially the socks. We were not to be turned back at this point, so we sloshed our way upstream (actually I sloshed, Katy was still dry) and found a navigable set of rocks to cross the river...I mean stream. I was concerned that I was going to be cultivating a fine crop of blisters by continuing, but completing this hike was important to me and Katy seemed dogged in her determination to complete it so we continued on our way.
As we continued, we encountered a number of obstacles that weren't there last week. There were large trees that had fallen across the trail in such a way that it was difficult (and time consuming) to get over, under or around them. The trail's still wet, but there are dry spots too so we're able to continue.
There is also a wonderful write-up about the event published in the University of Rhode Island student newspaper. Click here to be directed to the article appearing in The Good 5 Cent Cigar.
2008
The Samaritans of Greater Boston tenth annual "Run For Someone Else's Life" was held Saturday, October 4th, 2008.
For the sixth year, the Joggers for Joe team participated in this event in memory of Joe. For pictures, click here.
