Healing Through Arts and Culture: COMMUNITY VOICES
to
Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba 710 Rosser Ave, Suite 2, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 0K9
Kathy Levandoski, "Departure I" (detail), 2018
textile collage
Contributions by Michelle Budiwski, Ronalyn Ewert, Debbie Huntinghawk, Jessie Jannuska, B.K., Nadia Kuhl, Kathy Levandoski, Kim Longstreet, Craig Milliken, Brian Moran, Clayton Pollock, Sioux Valley High School Students, Jacob Sweep; Jodi Chubaty/Brandon Correctional Centre, Michelle Funk-Haney/Chris Reid/7th Street Health Access Centre
As I gathered artwork for this exhibition, it felt a bit like reaching out and placing a hand on the pulse of the community for a moment, and the result brings us a slice of the creative work happening locally that impacts mental health and wellbeing. The exhibition speaks to the healing power of art and culture, and shares the voice of community members. Aiming to break down barriers and help remove stigma surrounding mental health, addictions, and stereotypes surrounding creative work, the exhibition includes contributions from a wide variety of people, including winners of community leader awards, neighbours in a struggle to secure housing, incarcerated individuals, professional artists and craftspeople, Knowledge Keepers, leaders in business, and voices of youth. Resilience, survival, and healing are explored through a variety of media. - Chris Cooper