ART OF HEALING

New local exhibit challenges common discourse about medicine, wellness

The questions of who and what can bring healing are front and center of a new art exhibit in CMU’S Park Library.

“What is Medicine?” is a series of portraits and installations by Detroit artist Sabrina Nelson exploring the topic. The exhibit opened Tuesday in the library’s Baber room and will run there through March 2.

The portraits are all members of Nelson’s family, said Denise Fanning, Park Library art coordinator. Each is considered by Nelson to be a healer of some kind.

Nelson will return to campus several times during the course of the exhibit’s run to add dried herbs and embroidery to each portrait, allowing each to evolve.

Fanning said she met Nelson while the two taught at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. While Nelson doesn’t have any specific ties to CMU or the Mt. Pleasant community, Fanning said she’d like to bring in a broader range of artists from across Michigan, in addition to highlighting local artists.

Nelson will formally introduce the exhibit at 7 p.m. in Park Library’s Sarah and Daniel Opperman Auditorium, with a reception in the Baber Room Gallery.

PHOTOS BY ERIC BAERREN — MORNING SUN A new art exhibit in CMU’S Park Library asks, “Who is Medicine?” through portraits and installations. The exhibit, by Detroit artist Sabrina Nelson, runs through March 2. Pictured above left, Nova Moore, of Clio, smooths over paper over one of Sabrina Nelson’s portraits that are part of the artist’s exhibit