Frame of Mind:
Annual Mental Health Exhibition

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 TO NOVEMBER 11, 2019
Toni Onley Gallery

ABOUT

Through this annual series of exhibitions we hope to raise awareness about mental health, foster open conversation, and promote effective coping strategies, self-care, resilience, and hope throughout our community.

In 2000 Gayle Bluebird wrote in an article Using the Arts to Recover Mental Health:  “Many people express the importance of art and creativity as integral to their recovery. Writing, music, painting, dance, and other arts are pleasurable activities but are conduits for expression of the self which is hard to express in any other way.  Art is a powerful healing tool to explore deep emotions - the sorrows, the struggles, and joys. It has the ability to transform us by awakening parts of ourselves to recover and heal from earlier traumatic memories. Through artwork, people can develop their own personal vocabularies for a fuller identity.”

Thanks to the artists who have shared their creativity, allowing us a window into their lives, struggles, and triumphs. I am indebted to Valerie Wood, Sharon Evans,  and Dr. Mark Welch who planted the seed, without all of your trust and belief this exhibition would not have been possible. This exhibition also coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week and we ask that you take this opportunity to check in with your friends and loved ones.