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Abandoned Spaces  
 
 Last Shown at The Brew'd Awakening. Click here for Brew'd Exhibit Guide.

How did this happen?
Abandoned Souls - Abandoned Spaces is a photo essay on the former mental health system of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bob Rafferty, the photographer of this exhibit, obtained a job as a security guard within the abandoned asylums in order to expose to the public the abuse, misuse of power and terrorfying horrors that took place within their walls. He was eventually flushed out by the Commonwealth, fired, and threatened with charges. Pehaps these are not stories that the state wants you to hear.

From Darkness...A Glimmer of Hope...
Hopefully, by exposing these horrific truths, they will never be allowed to happen again. It is also the hopes of this exhibit that the stigma of mental illness will become a thing of the past. Models were used that look like your daughters, nieces, friends and neighbors to remind you that mental illness knows no boundaries. Redemption also knows no boundaries, and with that in mind the story of Marie Balter is drawn upon to show how even in the face of immeasureable difficulty mankind can rise above despair and achieve greatness. Click here to watch a multimedia documentary about Marie and hear her story in her own words.

One of These Days....
For your entertainment and viewing delight, a video of still images of Danvers State Hospital has been added. You may view it by clicking here. Enjoy!

At a glance: