Therapeutic power of art celebrated at Vernon event

Aug 7, 2020 | 11:16 AM

A show underway in Vernon celebrates the creative talents of community members living with mental illness and mental health challenges, who use art to improve their mental health.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Vernon & District 17^th Annual Awakening the Spirit Art Show and Sale is taking place at the Vernon Community Arts Centre.

The Arts Centre, located at 2704 A Highway 6, has donated its gallery for the show. The art sale and show runs until Friday, August 17, Monday to Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Daily closures take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for sanitizing.

Due to COVID-19, the show and sale is also being featured online.

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More than 20 works are featured including photography, acrylic, pen and ink, and watercolour. Artwork on display is from those living with mental illness who have used art to positively improve their mental health.

“Through art and creativity, we hope to break down some of the barriers and stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness,” Julia Payson, CMHA Vernon Executive Director said.

For the past two decades CMHA volunteer Christine Schmidt has been using art to help her express herself and practice self-care.

“My mother is very artistic; I would always do things with her. In 2000, I took a watercolour class and really got into it.”

Schmidt says she enjoys the discovery of making art.

“It keeps the creative juices going, connects me to nature, and is a way of expressing emotion,” she said.

She has been contributing to the show and volunteering for the CMHA Georgette Thrift Shop for three years.

During restrictions at the beginning of the pandemic, Schmidt said she spent her time walking, doing photography, cooking, baking, meditating with Insight Timer, and connecting with others over the phone.

She dedicated herself to drawing a picture every day for six weeks.

“It was neat to have a focus, to have something on the go during that time to commit to. I decided to stay calm and collected when B.C. launched its COVID-19 measures.”

Schmidt also decided to create an art calendar.

“My plan was to take a photo for inspiration and do a drawing each day of the month. My unused 2014 desktop calendar was easy to adapt for this project,” she said.

The piece has been submitted to the art show and is available for sale.

by Vernon Matters Staff/CMHA

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