Art meets awareness

A spied this child-friendly quilt featuring animals and flowers during a recent visit to the United Nations Visitors Centre in New York City

The U.N.’s World Health Organization notes that mental disorders are responsible for 13% of the global disease burden — and urges all countries to allocate more resources to mental health care. Here in the Valley, several organizations are holding events with an art twist in recognition of May as National Mental Health Month (Kids are the focus on May 9).

Detail of quilt at the U.N. Visitors Centre in NYC

The People of Color Network in Phoenix invites Valley families to join their “2nd Annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day” celebration from 10am to 8pm on Wed, May 9 at 4520 N. Central Ave. They’re joining several community partners for the event designed to “raise awareness about the importance of mental health in a child’s life.”

Event organizers note that “mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth,” adding that their priority is “building resilience in children and youth dealing with trauma so they can reach their fullest potential.” Wednesday’s event includes an art contest and exhibits, children’s activities, and workshops for kids and parents.

Detail of quilt at the U.N. Visitors Centre in NYC

The People of Color Network provides behavioral health care services to children and adults in Maricopa County, and seeks to raise awareness throughout the state of the importance of good mental health. They’ll have information about childhood mental health at the event.

Their partners include Chicano Por La Causa, Native American Connections, Empact, Ebony House and Centro de Amistad. All work to foster best practices delivered with respect for cultural heritage.

Folks who ride the bus or light rail to the event can present their ticket at the information booth when they arrive, and they’ll be entered into a free raffle. Learn more at www.pocn.com.

— Lynn

Note: You can find “People Colors” arts and craft supplies at Lakeshore Learning Materials in Phoenix and Paradise Valley — or online.

Coming up: Disco meets “Dark Shadows,” Developing new plays for young audiences

Update: I’ll be blogging about art and mental health all month. If your Arizona organization offers art-related programs by and/or for people living with mental illness, I’d love to hear from you at rakstagemom@gmail.com. 5/8/12

Heroes of Hope

Folks who hit First Friday in Phoenix tonight can enjoy a “Heroes of Hope” exhibit being held in honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (May 9). “Heroes of Hope” exhibits in Arizona represent a collaboration between the Arizona Art Therapy Association, Art Awakenings and Marana Health — plus participating families and youth. The Phoenix exhibit will be open during May at the Art Awakenings gallery located at 1014 N. 2nd St. Gallery hours are 6-9pm during this month’s First Friday.

Participating youth created works of art “representing heroes in their lives and how they have been helped in times of stress.” May’s First Friday event at the Art Awakenings gallery includes “a multimedia presentation with art imagery and facts about children’s mental health.”

A “Heroes of Hope” art fair taking place May 11 at the Marana Health Center ” will be formatted much like a science fair” and feature art created by K-12 students. Children who attend will be invited to create hand and footprints with paint for a “Wall of Heroes” being sent to service men and women deployed from Davis-Monathan Air Force Base. I’m told the event also features “interactive stations and information.”

Click here to learn more about National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day — a program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. I’m one taxpayer who’s perfectly happy to support programs that help families living with depression and other devastating mental health disorders.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to explore “Facts for Families” from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Click here to explore explore a piece from The Guardian featuring artwork created by participants in London’s CoolTan Arts programs.

Coming up: Silver linings, Dance meets documentary

Windows to recovery

Detail of “Jesus and His Horse” (previously exhibited at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale) created by Alfred Mendoza through the PSA Art Awakenings program

The PSA Art Awakenings program has partnered with Cenpatico of Arizona to present “Windows to Recovery” exhibitions of art and poetry, all “created by Cenpatico behavioral health participants.” Exhibits have already been held in Casa Grande and Parker, but the Yuma exhibit takes place May 3 and the Bisbee exhibit takes place May 5.

The exhibits are being presented as part of National Mental Health Month, in the hopes they’ll help to reduce stigma and raise awareness of mental illness. Organizers note that “these exhibitions of art and poetry shine a light on mental illness and the power of the arts to assist those with behavioral health challenges on their recovery journeys.”

They also note that one in four U.S. adults suffer from a mental illness in a given year, adding that one in 17 live with a serious mental illness. A Phoenix gallery called Warehouse 1005 will host a Maricopa County “Windows to Recovery” exhibition during “First Friday,” May 4, from 6-9pm.

Those who attend can also experience “The Illusionist Workshop,” an installation art piece by artist Gattuso — plus a collection of works by 67 community members and artists who “created works without the aid of their eyes.” The collection is called “The Blindfolded Painting Experience.”

Art Awakening’s Tucson gallery will be open Sat, May 5 from 6-9pm to present its own “Windows to Recovery” exhibition featuring works by local artists. I’m told artists will also be on hand with unique creations available for purchase. You can read more about Art Awakenings in the May issue of Raising Arizona Kids magazine.

— Lynn

Note: If your arts organization offers programs that serve or benefit children or adults living with mental illness, I’d love to hear from you at rakstagemom@gmail.com.

Coming up: Valley playwright talks Van Gogh, Exploring student art in Gilbert, A memoir of mental illness, No need to BYOBox

Art awakenings

Works created through the Art Awakenings program which are being exhibited at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottdale through Feb. 28

I headed up to the ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale Thursday morning to enjoy an exhibit of art works created through Art Awakenings, a program of the PSA Behavioral Health Agency that’s designed to “promote empowerment and recovery through the power of creative expression with adults and youth who face behavioral health challenges.”

Works by adult artists in the Arts Awakening program are being exhibited at ASU Kerr Cultural Center through Feb. 28 — and you can enjoy additional works, created by young and adult artists at several Art Awakenings studios, at various venues throughout the Valley. Enjoy these photos of works exhibited at ASU Kerr Cultural Center…

“Broken Pieces of Happiness” by Chris Valdez, who wrote: I had a dream that I was walking along a beautiful landscape, and as I walked it started to crack.

“Seeking Enlightenment” (detail) by Eeny Hamlin, who wrote: Between the sea and sky she meditates to connect her mind with the powers of the universe…The artist was striving for serenity, strength, and hope.

“Donkey on the Roof” by Alfred Mendoza

“Enigma V” (detail) by B Hill

“Fire” by Ignacio Biancas, who wrote: The painting represents me being bold and strong, it represents me expressing the intensity and passion I have within, and the expression that I feel I need to get out.

“Guardian of the Path to the Crescent” by Vincent Cienfuegos

” Inner Worlds” by Amy B. Young

“Jesus and His Horse” (detail) by Alfred Mendoza

“Guardian of the Path to the Crescent” by Vincent Cienfuegos (left), “Pristine Ocean” by Jayne Kerr Turconi (top), “Arctic Adventure” by Cheryl (bottom) and “King Kong” (right) by Kendall Tewers

“Pequento Rio Colorado” by Jon Hansen

“Sunflower” by Tammy Palomino, who wrote: I have been painting flowers for many years…I love to paint them up close, to show not just the colors but the workings of a flower. The stamen, pollen and insects, which are necessary for their existence.

“Willie Nelson” by Jayne Kerr Turconi

“Punk Dudes Go to see Sound of Music” by Lori Wilson

“Sunset Kokopelli” by B Hill, who wrote: My paintings reflect the joy, excitement and satisfaction that I experience while creating. I live to paint, each painting is an original one of a kind investment in happiness.

Most of the works pictured above are for sale. Click here to learn more about Art Awakenings, find additional exhibits of Art Awakenings works or get details about donating supplies or purchasing pieces of art. Click here for information on upcoming exhibits and performances at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center.

— Lynn

Coming up: Finding art in Fountain Hills, Festival celebrates Black History Month, Cholla meets cherry blossom