"Portraits From the Mind: The Works of William Utermohlen 1955 – 2000"

A Retrospective of the artist’s work before and after his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s Disease

A dramatic and powerful art exhibit chronicling an artist’s life and his journey before and after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease opens on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Chicago Cultural Center, in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD). “Portraits From the Mind” will be the largest, most comprehensive retrospective of the work of William Utermohlen to date, featuring pieces from 1955 to 2000. The exhibit includes a series of self-portraits, which poignantly document the course of his disease from his diagnosis in 1995 to 2000. The exhibit, supported by Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is free and open to the public at the Chicago Cultural Center through Sunday, August 3.

“The Utermohlen exhibition is a compelling portrayal of the life of a gifted artist both before and after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s,” said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Mr. Utermohlen’s art visually demonstrates the progression of this devastating disease. Today, there are an estimated 5.2 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s in the United States. Unless we find effective treatments, this figure is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.”

By mounting the most extensive exhibit of William Utermohlen’s works with the Alzheimer’s Association, Myriad Pharmaceuticals aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on families and society.

Location:
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Rooms (2nd Floor)
78 East Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602

Dates:
Open to the public from Saturday, July 26, through Sunday, August 3, 2008

Exhibit hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Program host: Alzheimer’s Association

Program supporter: Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: www.myriad.com

For more information: Chicago Cultural Center: www.chicagoculturalcenter.org

A concurrent gallery exhibit will be held at Rosenthal Fine Art, Inc.: 312.475.0700
http://www.rosenthalfineart.com

Self Portraits

Self-Portrait 1955

Self-Portrait with Saw 1997

Erased Self-Portrait 1999