ARTWORK BY CORVALLIS ARTIST ACCEPTED INTO MDA ART COLLECTION

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 6, 2009 – A creation by artist Dorothy M. O’Brien of Corvallis, Ore., has been accepted into the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Art Collection. Now in its 17th year, the Collection features artwork by people from across the country with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

Stargazer

O’Brien’s “Stargazer” is a painting of a pink stargazer lily, which is considered symbolic of wealth and prosperity as well as being a sign of aspiration. O’Brien, 65, has been painting for 20 years.

A retired medical librarian from Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, O’Brien is dedicated to raising awareness of disability-related issues and received MDA’s 2008 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award for Oregon.

She received a diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2007 and uses a wheelchair and scooter for mobility.

ALS is a disease affecting voluntary muscle movement. For unknown reasons, nerve cells gradually die and the muscles they control become weak and then nonfunctional. Respiratory complications are typical in ALS, and death usually occurs within three to five years of diagnosis.

“We’re deeply honored to welcome Dorothy O’Brien’s work into the permanent MDA Art Collection,” MDA President & CEO Gerald Weinberg said. “Her contribution to our Collection undoubtedly will delight all who see them as they travel to galleries and museums as part of the Collections’ special exhibits.”

The new addition by O’Brien is on display at MDA’s national headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., and can be seen at www.mda.org/commprog/art/displayall.aspx.

The Collection was established in 1992 to focus attention on the achievements of artists with disabilities and to emphasize that physical disability is no barrier to creativity.

The Collection comprises more than 360 works by artists aged 2 to 82, representing all 50 states. Each artist is affected by one of the more than 40 diseases in MDA’s program.

Selected art from the Collection has been exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art; Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center and the Forbes Collection in New York; Chicago Public Library; Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art; Los Angeles Children's Museum; Capital Children's Museum, Washington; and many other sites.

MDA is a voluntary health agency supporting programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, advocacy, and professional and public health education.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.