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October 2007 MIM Meeting:
One picture is worth…..
….the opportunity for individuals with mental illness to express themselves, receive encouragement and find a feeling of accomplishment. That’s what people learned as participants in the 26th Street Artists program. A variety of art mediums were used – acrylic paints and clay. Their work resulted in unusual and stylized journals and cards that were sold to benefit the artists and the organization that supported them. That’s the beginning of the story that Pat Young told the members of MIM last Monday at their regular monthly meeting
It was a joyous occasion with awards of stars for thinking and doing “outside the box.” The speaker commented on the fun and laughter and told the group it made her feel exceptionally comfortable. That’s one of the characteristics of this ministry:-a welcome embrace to all who come.
On this night the talk was about the process of creating; art as therapy. The speaker was clear that these programs were not “art therapy” in the strict sense of that phrase, but the near miracles that occurred when people explore their feelings and their world with their hands and hearts.
At Oxboro Library, Penn and 89th Street, an art exhibit by talented artists with disabilities from 26th Street Artists, a program of Spectrum Community Mental Health, will be displayed from October 1 to October 31. This program is sponsored by Hennepin County Libraries in collaboration with Bloomington Human Services and Spectrum Community Mental Health.
Spectrum artists have had their work exhibited in august organizations such as the Sister Kinney International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities and the annual Pride Art Show and Soo Visual Arts Center in a juried show. Abbott Northwestern has a permanent art collection from past shows, which has grown over the ears and includes approximately 350 pieces of art. A Spectrum artist, Faye Buffington has a solo show at Stevens Square Center for the Arts in Minneapolis.
Spectrum, a part of Resources, Inc., says that “Spectrum ArtWorks is a non-profit visual art organization in the heart of Minneapolis that provides studio space and community for artists living with a mental illness. In addition to producing amazing art, Spectrum works to educate the public about mental illness and in doing so break down the stigma associated with the disease.” Contact arice@resource-mn.org to learn more. .
Last year Resource through Spectrum Community served more than 2,250 adults with mental illness striving to live and participate actively in the community.
Thanks to Pat Young for opening the door to these organizations. There is information and pictures available through http:// www.resource-mn.org/learn-more.
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