00:00 This is a building on the campus of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Institute in New York.
00:04 But it's also an art studio and gallery.
00:06 It's called the Living Museum.
00:08 And since 1983, it's provided a space for the Institute's patients to create and display artwork.
00:14 Director Dr. Mecha Rehani Gadeem says the museum can help participants change their self-conceptualization.
00:20 People with mental illness always have this label already, right?
00:25 And coming here, we're changing that by becoming artists.
00:32 So there's an identity change, really, that can be healing.
00:38 Paula Brooks has been working at the museum since the 1990s.
00:41 When I come to this studio, it's like a relief day.
00:48 I can spend my whole time of the day painting
00:52 and not have anything interrupt that's negative or violent.
00:57 So I'm very happy to be painting.
01:01 Creedmoor has had a controversial history.
01:03 In 1983, the same year the Living Museum was founded,
01:06 The New York Times reported on New York City and New York State feuding over housing homeless men there.
01:11 And according to local station Fox 5,
01:13 this year saw protests against a plan by Mayor Eric Adams to house migrants at Creedmoor.
01:18 But the Living Museum has served as an oasis for its artists.
01:21 and the public can visit by appointment Monday through Friday.
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