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Go to Our Fall 2008 Newsletter Go to Our Spring 2008 NewsletterArtwork helps alter perceptions of mental illness
By GAIL BRACCIDIFERRO | Special To The Courant, August 6, 2008. Photo by Mark Mirko.
Dylan Croft and Robin Fleming are veterans of the theater. As longtime performers in the Second Step Players, a 50-member theater troupe that aims to bust myths, break down barriers and educate the public about people with psychiatric illnesses, they are seldom shy about acting in front of an audience.
But ask them to create a piece of visual art and they might not be as eager to express themselves.
"The audience gives you energy," Croft said about being on stage. "It can be very uplifting."
The process of getting into character for a stage production helps her overcome stage fright, Fleming said. Creating a piece of visual art is more difficult because it is such a personal exercise.
Still, both women were proud that this summer their artwork was displayed on a wall in a main corridor at the Hartford offices of the commissioner of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. They were among those who created decorative picture frames in an open art studio project at the Norwich-based Artreach, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for artistic expression to those dealing with a variety of psychiatric illnesses.
The picture frames, embellished with a rainbow of brightly colored paints, polymer clay, textures from beads, and bits of glass and shells, and personalized with photographs, drawings or poems, were hung among paintings and drawings created by Artreach artists. Many of the state office workers and guests who attended a late July reception for the exhibit praised the work.
Ronna Keil, the department employee who serves as curator for the exhibits, said the artworks not only brighten up a drab hallway, but provide an opportunity for artists to gain public exposure for their work and possibly even sell some. While there were some beginning artists among those whose work was exhibited, there also were many longtime professionals.
"Some artists have master's degrees and produce breathtaking work," Keil said.
The department started the exhibits about 3-1/2 years ago as a way to mark Mental Health Month in May, she said. Employees and artists loved the exhibit and asked for more.
"There was such a strong reaction," she said.
Since then, the department has hosted 40 monthly art shows, and the display space is booked through 2010.
Wayne F. Dailey, a spokesman for the department, praised the quality of the artwork. He also said the exhibits help demonstrate that those with psychiatric illnesses are just like everyone else.
"This is an opportunity for people with psychiatric disabilities to express themselves, show they have talent and that they can make contributions to the community," he said.
While contemporary society has a better understanding and acceptance of mental illness, it still is not talked about enough, he said.
"This series of exhibits helps the artists feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment, and that's healing," he said. "Some of the work is just 'knock your socks off' in terms of quality and expressiveness."
The Artreach artists said although they were open in discussing their illnesses, they still too often struggled against prejudices and too frequently had barriers put in their paths.
"Stigma is still a big problem," said Sharon DeBrady, whose work titled "Galaxy" was among those displayed. "But we're no different from any others."
She has struggled with depression, she said. She currently works part time and takes classes at Eastern Connecticut State University. She has participated in Artreach programs, including the recreational group Work Hard/Play Hard and Second Step Players, for about six years, she said.
Two artworks that drew much attention during the reception were paintings by Kathy LaVallee. Becca Atkins, Artreach executive director, said LaVallee frequently sketches to relieve anxiety. One of LaVallee's paintings was from a sketch she drew while she listened to author Amy Tan speak at Connecticut College. The second painting depicted an elderly man who frequently fed stray cats near the Artreach office.
Marilyn Neale, who said she has been drawing and painting since she was a child, graciously accepted many compliments on her dog portraits that hung in the exhibit. She fielded several offers from those wanting to buy one of the paintings of wide-eyed, cheery dogs.
"I enjoy faces," she said of her reason for concentrating on dogs and their facial expressions.
Neale, who has obsessive compulsive disorder, said she got involved in Artreach after seeing a performance by the Second Step Players.
"It looked like so much fun," she said.
Although she did only backstage work at first, she finally mustered the courage to go on stage. "The first time I went on, I had just one line," she said.
Neale and other Artreach participants agreed that participating in the theater group, recreational programs or visual art projects provided fun, support and camaraderie.
The group also is important in another manner.
"Creativity is always therapeutic," Atkins said.
Artreach members display art in Hartford
Art work by members of Artreach who participated in the Open Art Studio will be on display during the month of July at the Commissioner's Office of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in Hartford. The public was invited to an Art Show Reception on July 23. It was a big success with a photographer and reporter from the Hartford Courant taking photos and asking questions. The art show fits in with the emphasis at Artreach to help members get out into the community through artistic activities and expression.
The Open Art Studio is a series of classes held during rehearsals for the agency's annual Come Together Coffeehouse. The photo above shows one of the classes in action. Members work on both individual and group projects using a variety of media while they wait for their opportunity to rehearse the song they will perform in the coffeehouse. The Open Art Studio has been a very popular program with members and has been in operation for the past few years.
Besides being just plain fun, the Open Art Studio has had a strong impact on people's attentiveness while they are rehearsing. The art helps the music; the music helps the art. It's wonderful to see.
The Open Art Studio program was begun by Heather Bonitz, an art therapist with a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from Springfield College. For the past couple of years, John Lamar, a professional artist, has joined her in conducting twice-a-week classes. Media used in creating the pieces of art include pastels, charcoal, watercolors, acrylic paints, collage materials, pen and ink, and much more.
The goal of this exhibit is to show the public, state workers and elected officials the possibilities open to people with mental illnesses who are given the means to participate in activities that bring them and their work into the larger community.
New Executive Director Reviews Past Year and Plans for Future
Top of pageBecca Atkins, our new Executive Director, takes us on a tour of last year's O'Neill show, our fall/winter tour, and our first ever holiday show. She also discusses some ideas for new ways to become a part of the local arts and theater scene. Want to read more? See our Spring 2008 issue of Atreach: at a glance. PDF available by clicking here.
Project: Outsiders Making Music
Sam Bliven (left) records the vocals for Preservation Is The Battle Cry, a song he wrote for our CD entitled Outsiders Making Music. All recording was done at Riverway Studios with Ira Sakolsky, our producer and recording engineer (in foreground of photo below). Preservation is a song about the strength it takes to live in a society that fears, medicates and shuns people with mental illnesses. Sam's track features community volunteer musicians Rick Stannard and Alan Winslow.
In addition, we have two short rap songs in the can written and sung by Matthew Olson: One Of Us and Psychotic, both dealing with stigma and recovery issues. MP3 sound clips of each can be heard by clicking on the song titles. Hit your back button to return to this page.
We also have a song written and sung by Fred Vaughn called Signs, a song from the perspective of having bipolar illness. Lastly, we are starting work on track 5, a song by Melanie called Austin State Blues.
We now have enough tracks available to sell a four-song EP (extended play) of Outsiders Making Music. If you are interested in buying a copy, call Becca at (860) 887-0014.
Special thanks to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut and the Connecticut Commision on Cutlure & Tourism for their generous support.
