Maureen McAuliff, whose work is seen here, is among the artists featured in Emotional Baggage at the Art Factory.
One in five people in Ontario will experience a mental health issue this year.
Talking about it, sharing stories, exploring methods of healing are all ways to honour those working their way back to wellness, says a local community leader working to shine light on the issue.
Renfrew’s Art Factory is partnering with another Ottawa Valley venue for a unique exhibit designed to create dialogue about mental health and healing.
‘Emotional Baggage’ is running during May, Mental Health Awareness Month, at Art Factory’s Bridge Street Warehouse and the Carleton Place Collective, featuring the powerful, stunning and varied work of a host of talented artists.
Art Factory owner Patrick John Mills said there was an overwhelming response from artists when the call for participants was issued. More than 450 submissions were received from across Ontario.
Participating artists were chosen by a small group of individuals selected by the venue owners.
Mental health is a theme that resonates with just about everyone, says Mills.
From two young women who were “incredibly brave and courageous” with what they created in response to the theme to artists like Gerald Trottier, who has more than 100 works in the National Gallery Archives, participating artists and their pieces run the gamut in terms of variety.
The response so far to Emotional Baggage has been positive and powerful. Mills says some have come back to see the exhibit more than once and that spectators and participating artists alike have been impacted.
Emotional Baggage runs Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 8 at the Art Factory in Renfrew and the Carleton Place Collective in Carleton Place.
Participating artists include: in Renfrew include: Posy Bennett, Luna Blackwood, Kerri Broome, Tamara H Campbell, Robin Knox, Laura Leah Lindeman, Maureen McAuliff, Julie Mercier, Isabelle Mills, Patrick John Mills, Amanda Milson, Robyn Voisey, Deb Shea, Mac Souliere, Nancy-Lynne Stoller, Abby Testu, Miranda Torraville, Makenna Torraville, and Gerald Trottier; and in Carleton Place: Julie Mercier, Amanda Milson, Patrick John Mills, Dana Howard, Amanda Carver, Rose Moses, Kris Jane, Gerald Trottier, Donna Osborne, Robyn Voisey, Derrick Nearing, Hillary Martin, and a youth artist.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)