PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) - A cafe in Port Huron is displaying a traveling exhibit of art created by Michigan residents who’ve received mental health services.
The Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards Traveling Art Show has put up its collection at the Sail In Cafe for the month of December, The Times Herald (https://bwne.ws/2hntbL6 ) reported. The cafe serves as a training facility to those with developmental or intellectual disabilities in culinary arts.
The goal of the exhibit is to de-stigmatize mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse.
“We want people to see people for the multidimensional people that they are,” St. Clair Community Mental Health executive director Deb Johnson said. “Things like this help break down the stigma associated with a mental health issue.”
She said stigma is the main reason people don’t seek mental health treatment early enough.
The exhibit is a collection of 16 pieces of art that range from paintings to pencil drawings. Johnson said the artists vary in age and are from all over Michigan.
Mark Duncan, a mental health assistant for CMH, believes the art will make people think and he noted that community feedback has been positive.
“A lot of people don’t think that just because someone has a mental health issue doesn’t mean they can’t have a master’s degree, can’t be an artist,” Duncan said.
The exhibit is scheduled to return in July and will likely be displayed in Studio 1219.
Since its debut in May the exhibit has been displayed in a new county each month and will be on tour until October 2017.
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Information from: Times Herald, https://www.thetimesherald.com
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