Art to enrich all our lives

7 October 2011

An exhibition that explores the place of art and other creative outlets in mental health, wellbeing and in mental illness has become an annual event.

The Sleepy Monkey café in Tamworth is continuing its partnership with Hunter New England Mental Health and is again hosting the Mental Health Month art exhibition.

The exhibition is on at the Peel Street café for one week – from Tuesday 11 October to Sunday 16 October.

It aims to provide the community with a display of local talent, a chance to learn about the experience of mental illness and an opportunity to think about ways to add and invest in the quality of your life, said Tamworth-based rehabilitation clinician Helen Carter.

This is the third time the two groups have collaborated to showcase and celebrate the creative talents of local artists, which are often also used to process and manage their mental illness.

“The use of art can be both a therapeutic exploration and a means of release from the impacts of mental illness,” Miss Carter said.

“Gaining a sense of hope and empowerment through art can be an important tool in someone’s recovery.

“The exhibition provides a place for those with lived experiences of mental illness to gain recognition and a sense of worth for their achievements.”

The exhibition encompasses the theme for Mental Health Month, “Wellbeing; Invest in your life”, which encourages people to consider how they can improve their own and others’ lives by taking a holistic view of health and wellbeing.

“Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness,” Miss Carter said.

“Creative outlets such as art, sculpture, poetry and journaling are all ways to improve your wellbeing and mental health.

“Making time to add these activities to your week is an easy investment to enrich the quality of your life.”

The excitement and interest from consumers has grown for this exhibition with many new exhibitors making the exhibition a local success not to be missed.

“The artists are all fantastic role models for looking at new ways to nurture your mental health,” Miss Carter said.

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216