From the 9th to the 15th of October, Mackay’s Town Hall will showcase diverse works created by people who experience mental illness in their lives. Since February this year the Arts in Mind project has brought together participants from Mackay’s Mental Illness Fellowship NQ and Ozcare to explore diverse modes of self-expression.
Art making is proven to have a range of positive therapeutic benefits for people who experience mental illness. Amy, a participant in the project states, “It proves that you have your own expression of how you feel about things… you can’t express it through voice, you can express it through your artwork.” Many participants have benefited from their involvement in the project. The works of art celebrate the diverse recovery journey each artist is on while challenging the stigma of mental illness in our society.
Following a kind donation from the Mackay Foundation, The Arts in Mind project was developed by the Mackay Regional Mental Health Network in collaboration with the Mental Illness Fellowship NQ and was facilitated through the Day-to-Day Living Program.
The Arts in Mind Exhibition demonstrates how art is being used to empower people, raise awareness and build cultural capacity in Mackay. The exhibition will feature the work of Jessie P.
Opening night is Friday the 14th of October at 5:30pm and will include performances and light refreshments.
