Exhibit Celebrates Recovery and Showcases Original Artwork
October 21, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Chesterfield County Department of Mental Health Support Services recently hosted Recovery: A Work of Art, an exhibit featuring more than 50 original works of art by more than 25 artists who are participants in the Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities program. The display consisted of photographs, paintings, drawings, poetry and crafts.
Artist Patricia Walker welcomed guests. Sue Medeiros, assistant director of Clinical Services, offered opening remarks. Kevin Balfour, Amy Prewitt and Dorothy Wyatt recited poetry and Jack Evans, guitarist, performed.
“Art is a powerful healing tool,” said Medeiros. “It allows the individual to express themselves in ways that they cannot do in words.”
Gary Yaw holds two masters of fine arts, one in education. Once a reputable art director at a Baltimore graphic design firm for 27 years, Yaw lost everything due to his disease — his job, girlfriend and most of his possessions. His sister, a local resident brought him to Chesterfield County and MHSS helped him to recover.
“Artwork has been an important recovery tool that not only brings me joy and relieves my symptoms of depression, but also allows me to define myself as an artist instead of as someone with a psychiatric disability,” said Gary Yaw.
Four years ago, Anastasia Kelley’s world turned upside down. She lost her job, her friends and her hope. Since then, her faith, family and photography, along with the tools provided by Mental Health Support Services, have been instrumental in her recovery.
“They restored my love, hopes, dreams and goals,” said Kelley, who now studies photography at John Tyler Community College and uses her camera to catch each precious moment in her life, because “it is worth living and that moment can never be relived.” She encourages others to seek help and never give up on living.
This celebration of recovery and creativity let artists showcase their talents and make the public aware of what they have to offer in the marketplace.
