The Healing Power of Magic to come to ETSU

Magic can amaze. Magic can amuse. And Kevin and Cindy Spencer of Spencers: Theatre of Illusion believe that magic can also heal.

While they have been described as "modern-day Houdinis," the Spencers have also become known for their efforts off the stage and in the community. Since 1984, they've been using magic as a healing tool for the physically challenged through a special program called the Healing of Magic.

Today, Kevin Spencer will bring his dramatic talents of illusion and healing to East Tennessee State University's Martha Street Culp Auditorium at 7 p.m. for a special "Evening of Health, Wellness and the Arts." Cherokee storyteller and artist Freeman Owle will add his perspectives on health, the arts and the Cherokee tradition.

The show is sponsored by ETSU's Mary B. Martin School of the Arts and the College of Public Health. This is the second year the public health school has sought to combine these areas into one event under the auspices of the Leading Voices in Public Health Lecture Series and the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

"This event was spurred by the realization that in order to teach things we divide ourselves up," says Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the College of Public Health. "We have a public health school, the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, and medical school, but we realize that what we do is always interdisciplinary, collaborative. I think the interface of the arts with wellness and health often goes under-appreciated and yet we recognize that for people to be truly well and be healthy, not just health care is needed, but also living in an environment that feels good and good for us, and art is an expression of that environment.

"There is a tremendous amount we can learn from each other and can do together. It makes a very important statement that the arts are important to health and wellness, and health can be a legitimate content area for the arts."

The Spencers combine illusion, levitation, vanishing and reappearance with interactivity with the whole audience to create a dramatic, comedic and suspenseful evening of enjoyment. They are the only artists in history to be named Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year for a record-breaking six consecutive years and have twice been named America's Best Entertainers.

In addition, for their Healing of Magic endeavors in rehabilitative medicine, the Spencers have been recognized with the Harry Chapin Award for Contributors to Humanity. The concepts of the Healing of Magic have been approved by the more than 50,000 members of the American Occupational Therapy Association and have been featured in various publications. The Healing of Magic project has been explored and implemented in more than 2,000 facilities in over 30 countries.

"Kevin Spencer is a very well-recognized performing artist who has also worked with kids with injury and autism," Wykoff says. "Here is someone who is doing this interface of health and the arts in his life and work."

Owle is also a recognized authority on wellness in the Cherokee culture. With degrees in social work and education, Owle has a varied background as a wood and stone carver, storyteller and award-winning educator in Cherokee culture and history.

"Artists have long recognized the wellness and therapeutic value the creative process encompasses," says Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Director Anita DeAngelis. "The Mary B. Martin School of the Arts understands the value of the arts addressing the whole person — the expressive and creative, as well as the health and wellness of individuals. It's exciting to have an opportunity to work with the College of Public Health to present a unique event with Freeman Owle, Kevin Spencer, and the photography exhibition."

In addition to the guest artists, a photographic exhibit by the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a group of students recognized for the humanitarian perspectives, will be in the spotlight during intermission, as well as before and after the program. The purpose of the exhibition is to depict doctors and students participating in their pastimes or hobbies, rather than healthcare settings.

"We want to show how healthcare professionals bring balance to their lives by incorporating passions outside of medicine," says exhibit organizer Jeremy Pickell, "emphasizing that making time for things that bring you joy is important for your overall wellness."

ETSU students who present an ID will be admitted free of charge. Tickets for all other guests are $10 per person.

For more information, contact the ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts at 423-439-TKTS (8587) or visit www.etsu.edu/cas/arts/ or www.Facebook.com/ETSU.MBMSOTA.