An art show dedicated to mental health opened with a celebration in Williams Lake on Friday, February 23rd.
Dozens of paintings and poems line the walls of Caribou Art Beat Studio on Oliver Street, providing an opportunity to learn about some of the services offered in the community for mental health.
Arianna Edwards contributed a piece titled “Head in the Clouds,” which depicts the outline of a skull with sky and clouds inside.
“It’s imagining yourself under stress and trying to escape from it.”
Caribou Art Beat offers art classes, and Ariana said she goes to the studio every Thursday and has been going for several years.
Annika DeBoer also had six works in the show, and she chose one titled “Alas-Dissociation” to pose for a photo next to it.
“It’s about the feeling of living in your mind and not in your body,” Anika explained. “It’s almost like I’m looking at it from the outside.”
Artists Tiffany Jorgensen, Sara Sigurdson and Brittany Murphy are the masterminds behind Caribou Art Beat and all had work in the show.
Murphy said her work “Housewives” was created at a time when everyone was stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I love my kids, but there were moments where I actually wanted to scream like this,” she explained. “It was a stifling time for families and children, but for some stay-at-home moms it only deepened their sense of isolation. It was an inner turmoil.”
Her charcoal drawing depicts the face of a screaming woman, and her attention to detail in her work allows her to express her own grievances on paper while preserving her real feelings towards her family. I recalled that I was able to do so.
Jorgensen and Sigurdsson also contributed some poems. His one of Jorgensen’s pieces was about his ADHD, and his one of Sigurdsson’s pieces was about his exchange with his teenage self.
The art opening also served as a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Cariboo Chilcotin Branch, and featured live music by the Springhouse Trio and guest singer Donna Lee.
CMHA Executive Director Terena Donahue said, “We are acutely aware of the compounding negative effects that not seeking treatment for mental health disorders and continuing to suffer in silence has on individuals in our communities.” Ta.
She said barriers such as misinformation, fear, stigma and lack of affordable access to timely services continue to pose significant challenges.
“Thank you to everyone who has participated and done your part to bring about meaningful change. There is still much work to do, but I want to thank you for being here tonight and for your contribution to this cause. , we can do important work.”
Jorgensen said Caribou Art Beat is grateful to live in a city with a strong sense of community and people who are always willing to show up and help others.
She encourages people to understand what exists in mental health, as it is something that requires ongoing care and nurturing.
“Thank you Sheri Stahl for providing insight into EMDR, a fascinating and effective process for dealing with trauma.”
Jorgensen said it takes a lot of courage to have people see your art, especially the one you made while feeling vulnerable.
“We had 17 artists and poets contribute work to this show. They all agreed to donate 25 per cent of the proceeds to Mental Health Canada.”
Murphy said it’s important to talk about mental health.
“I love when other community members are able to come forward and put themselves out there through art. You never know who you’ll end up with, but it reminds us that we’re not alone.” That’s really great.”
While some of the artwork may seem sad and dark, Murphy said it’s beautiful and empowering, a tangible reminder of how much you can overcome.
“I hope this show inspires others to start processing painful emotions through art. It can really be a mental health tool.”
The program will run until next weekend, March 8th.
Available to watch on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 6:00pm
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