"Communicating with Vulture," painted by Abraham Daniel at Harlem Horizon Art Studio, is one of several works now on display in Low Library though the end of February.

Art has transformative powers. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Harlem Horizon Art Studio, where art transcends limitations and provides the road back to physical and emotional health.

Tucked away in a small corner on the 17th floor of Harlem Hospital, the studio, once used as a pantry room, is now awash with color and a tumult of community artists.

"If I'm having a bad day in the natural world, then I try to have a good day in the spiritual world through painting," said Abraham Daniel, 24, who was treated at Harlem Hospital at the age of 9 after having suffered severe injuries from a four-story fall. "'Communicating with Vulture' is a painting I did that shows that part of me which is colorful, vibrant and flamboyant."

The studio was established in 1989 as part of an in-patient injury prevention program in the division of pediatrics and pediatric surgery at Harlem Hospital through the efforts of Ellen Giesow of Columbia's affiliation office at the hospital, Barbara Barlow, chief of pediatric surgery, Susan Weeks, previously the pediatric trauma coordinator, Margaret Heagarty, professor emeritus at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia and artist Bill Richards.

Today, the studio is also an outpatient service where young people like Daniel come not only to create art and express themselves, but also to heal from injuries both physical and psychological. Contributions by the University faculty and staff through Columbia Community Service help support the program.

"After my accident, I had to learn everything all over again," said Daniel. "It was a slow process, but through painting I was able to use my arm again and, at the same time, express how I was feeling at that moment."

Since the studio opened in 1989, more than 1,600 children, 100 parents and other adults have participated. A core group of 17 to 20 young people regularly attends the program, which meets four days a week. Daniel is one of several artists whose paintings are now on display through the end of February in Low Rotunda as part of the Harlem Horizon Art Studio exhibition, sponsored by Columbia's Office of Public Affairs. The paintings are as diverse as the artists themselves: There are scenes from everyday life, abstract random patterns and serene representations of nature, among the works.

Other artists include: Dawn Adams, Dorian Bumbray, Frances Deegan, Louis Donaldson, Victor Dotson, Darryl McCullough, Mustafa Muhammad, Joseph Pinckney, Wendell A. Rondon, Deborah Rowell, Karima Sappé, Kimberly Singleton and Gregory Smith.

The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public.