Georgia-Pacific Professional, CDC Foundation Select Artists for Upcoming Handwashing Exhibition

Georgia-Pacific Professional, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's David J. Sencer Museum and the CDC Foundation, has selected six diversely talented artists to be featured in the upcoming exhibition, Watching Hands: Artists Respond to Keeping Well. Opening Sept. 24, 2011, at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum (formerly the Global Health Odyssey Museum) at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, the exhibition will explore the importance of proper handwashing through a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design, video projection and vinyl installation.

"Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease," says Bill Sleeper, president of Georgia-Pacific Professional. "We want to bolster awareness of the health benefits of hand hygiene. With the help of these artists, we believe this nontraditional and innovative approach to handwashing education will generate greater awareness, reach new audiences and help prevent the spread of infection."

The exhibition will feature all new works, ranging from humorous to spiritual themes, by the following six renowned artists:

- John Bankston The San Francisco-based artist uses drawing and painting to create imaginary narratives that link subjective memories of childhood to a broader American popular culture.

- Didi Dunphy Inspired by the intersection of art, performance and design, the Athens, Ga.-based artist engages audiences through fabricating objects and installations to facilitate playful, interactive experiences.

- Joe Peragine The Atlanta-based artist works in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, animation and filmmaking. In addition to the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, where his award-winning public art installation of ants hangs over the baggage claim areas, Peragine's work has been featured through solo exhibitions around the country.

- Katherine Ross Currently serving as chair of the Ceramics Department at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Ross' expertise is in porcelain production for large installations that addresses biological technology, disease and prophylaxis, genetic engineering, hybridization and cloning.

- Laura Splan A New York-based mixed-media artist, Splan uses microbiological, anatomical and medical images to emphasize the connections between art and science. Splan recently taught two courses addressing the links between art and biology at Stanford University in California.

- James Victore Considered a cultural and political activist, Victore is one of the leading graphic designers in the United States. Utilizing deceptively simple and witty designs, Victore works in the realms of business, culture, education, editorial and politics, with clients ranging from TIME Magazine to Aveda to Moët & Chandon.

"The CDC Foundation often builds partnerships that bring CDC's health messages to new communities through innovative channels. This partnership with Georgia-Pacific Professional, and the contributions of these six talented artists, present a unique and exciting opportunity to help CDC educate new audiences about the importance of handwashing through art," says Charles Stokes, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.

Watching Hands: Artists Respond to Keeping Well will be on display through January 13, 2012. The exhibition is curated by Louise E. Shaw, David J. Sencer CDC Museum.