Check Out Pamela Schoenberg’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Schoenberg.

Hi Pamela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In the Spring of 2020, I closed dnj Gallery as a commercial photography gallery to study nutritional science. I was interested in preventing and alleviating some of the symptoms of chronic disease. I believed in food as medicine—and think that one’s diet could assist with the situation.

On July 2, 2023, I received my certification as a Functional Health Coach. From October 2021 – October 2022, I attended the Kresser Institute to complete the Adapt Health Coach Training Program. Through this experience, I have learned that lifestyle and diet impact chronic illnesses.

In October 2023, I discovered the ‘ArtandMed’ curriculum taught by Ted Meyer (the co-curator of dnj Galler’s Art and Med program), which was created for use in medical schools. Meyer, artist-in-residence at the U.S.C. Keck School of Medicine, organized exhibitions highlighting specific health conditions which correlated to the studies of the medical school students at U.S.C. This teaching utilized art as a tool to teach an understanding of wellness through patient/artist voices. With this added visual component, one’s ability to comprehend the illness became more possible.

Seeing that my two passions (art and health) could be combined, it was natural to begin this Art and Med program at dnj Gallery.

Since the Spring of 2024, I have compiled a program consisting of an art exhibition and corresponding events to describe these chronic diseases. I have redirected the mission of dnj Gallery from solely commercial to a space with a more charitable and educational purpose. I collaborated with a charity, referring to the illness that I feature, to ultimately increase awareness.
My journey came from a deep desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those struggling with health challenges. I intended to strive to bridge the gap between art and medicine, providing a platform for patient comments that are often overlooked in traditional galleries.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I hope to extend Art and Med and its benefits to many patients, health professionals, caregivers, art enthusiasts, etc. This program, the art exhibition and corresponding events are free and available to all.

Art and Med at dnj Gallery always includes two specific events: a conversation between an artist/patient and a medical professional and an Open Mic platform for anyone with the exhibited chronic illness.

During the Parkinson’s Disease exhibit last spring, I also organized a “Dancing Through Parkinson’s” event, which attracted 16 patients. This event was special, creating smiles on the faces of the patients with this difficult illness.

I have had a difficult time announcing, marketing and advertising this program. Everything is free, as I stated before. This program is similar to none. It provides a more detailed and directed explanation and an empathic outlook. Lately, the patients have also developed a community. Art and Med reveals a deep commitment, through art, to support these individuals.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
After receiving my BFA in both History and Photography from Washington University in St. Louis, I then graduated with my MFA in Studio Art/Photography from Mills College in Oakland, California. I studied with artists Joe Deal and Catherine Wagner consecutively. I pursued and exhibited my photography for more than fifteen years before opening dnj Gallery. After graduate school, I lived in Jerusalem and was commissioned to photograph the immigration and acculturation of the Ethiopian Jews. In 1998, I received the “Artist-In-The-Community” grant to photograph my ‘Vermont’ project, from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs DepartmentI have also been involved with many Los Angeles institutions including Barnsdall Municipal Art Gallery, where I worked for the education department and developed numerous elementary school programs. During this time, I published several essays for the Museum of Education of Southern California (MESC) organization. Then, at the Los Angeles Center for Photographic Studies, I assisted in organizing exhibitions, educational workshops and grant writing. I have also worked in museum education and taught workshops at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Skirball Cultural Center and The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena.

In October, 2007, I opened dnj Gallery as a commercial fine-art photography gallery, and proudly, in April 2024, I began the Art and Med program at dnj Gallery. As I mentioned, I redirected its mission from solely commercial to a space with a charitable and educational purpose. The upcoming exhibitions aim at enhancing education, raising awareness, and fundraising for specific chronic health conditions. In 2020, I studied nutritional science at Cornell University, and then I completed the Adapt Health Coach Training Program at the Kresser Institute. In 2023, I received my certification as a Functional Health Coach and combined my two passions of art and health. I now exhibit conceptual fine art that calls attention to one certain illness and guides as well as raises consciousness within our community.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I love my photography, dnj Gallery and the Art and Med program. It is extremely gratifying to participate and work hard to complete projects and exhibitions, and organize a plan of action. I did not go into art to earn money. Art is inspiring, stimulating, provocative and educating. It adds to my thoughts. Instead, it is more satisfying for me to enjoy each day to the fullest. I learn this lesson over and over.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dnjgallery.net
• Instagram: @dnjgallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057709177865
• LinkedIn: https://likedin.com/in/pamela-schoenberg-94931936a/
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@artandmed
• Other: http://www.mayers-schoenberg.com/index.html

Image Credits
all photos by Corey Grayhorse Photography