The Art Project team: (left to right) 1st & 5th: Jan Major & Katherine Johnston, Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, 2nd – 6th: Jane Randle, Mary Lang, Jen Weyman & Bev Fearnehough, Sunshine Coast Mental Health & Addictions Services
During the month of April, Sunshine Coast Mental Health & Addictions Services showcased a community show of client art entitled Looking Inward, Looking Outward.
This was a joint mental health and community effort, involving staff from every program at the centre (addictions, older adult, short term assessment and treatment, and adult community support services). Staff and volunteers at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre were an integral part of the project, and members of the community provided consultations, materials, and features in the local newspaper.
The art was produced by current and former mental health clients in their homes, as well as in a series of biweekly workshops offered by the centre, which provided materials and hands-on support. Twenty-three artists were featured in the show, including a collage created by fourteen members of the centre’s dementia support group.
Over one hundred community members attended the opening on April 3, including Elizabeth Stanger, Director, Coastal Mental Health & Addictions. Hugh Macaulay, Vice President of Arrowhead Clubhouse Society delivered a poignant speech about art and mental illness.
This was an initiative to empower people who are marginalized by mental illness and/or addictions. Our goal for the project was to connect people with the community through their art, and help to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and addictions.
We are proud to have been involved in such a successful project with our community.
Submitted by the Art Project team, Sunshine Coast Mental Health & Addictions Services: Jane Randle, Mary Lang, Jen Weyman and Bev Fearnehough