Local ‘Changing Minds’ art show coming to Grayling

/in

Local entries to the statewide “Creative Minds Changing Minds,” art show will be featured at the AuSable Artisan Village Gallery in Grayling on March 1-3.

The art entries are by people who receive services at Northern Lakes Community Mental Health and who use art as a means to reduce stress and enrich their lives. One entry will be selected to represent the Northern Lakes CMH six-county service area in the statewide show sponsored by Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards (MACMHB). The MACMHB will travel around the state for the next two years, beginning in Grand Rapids in April 2013.

The Northern Lakes CMH piece will be selected by a jury comprised of AuSable Artisan Village artists: Photographer Thomas Dean, Painter and Gallery Director Terry Dickinson, Volunteer Sandra Michalik, and Painter/Fiber Artist Jeannie Pratt.

“We are happy to partner with Northern Lakes CMH in this way,” said Thomas Dean. “Part of our mission is to support art and cultural activities in the greater Grayling area which enrich lives and stimulate creativity. The Creative Minds Changing Minds show is exactly the kind of effort we support.”
Northern Lakes CMH Community/Provider Relations staff Cynthia Petersen added, “The local Creative Minds Changing Minds show contains about 20 beautiful pieces of art and celebrates the rich and interesting diversity of the people in our area. Northern Lakes CMH appreciates the AuSable Artisan Village artists serving as jury for our piece and for hosting the show so the community may have the opportunity to see some of the talent of the people we serve.”
According to MACMHB Executive Director Michael Vizena, the goals of the show are to help destigmatize mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance use issues by showcasing the multi-dimensionality of people who use community mental health services and to highlight the recovery potential of the arts.
“We hope the overall effect will be to alleviate stigma and normalize help-seeking behaviors throughout Michigan,” according to Vizena.
The winning entry will be unveiled at the Grayling show and then move to Lansing where it will be professionally matted and framed. There will be over 40 pieces in the statewide show, which is tentatively scheduled to make its northern Michigan debut in April 2014. Each artist in the statewide show will receive a $100 purchase award from MACMHB.
Northern Lakes CMH manages or provides services and supports to over 5,000 residents who are adults and children with developmental disabilities, adults with serious mental illness, and children with serious emotional disturbance living in the six counties of Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, Roscommon, and Wexford.