Veterans in the Rosecrance substance abuse program were among the artists whose work was exhibited in the Community Partners-Mental Health Awareness for All Annual Art Exhibit at the Lakeside Legacy Foundation’s Sage Gallery Arts Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Here’s the Rosecrance Artists’ Statement: “Rosecrance provides help, hope and recovery to children, youth, adults and families. Making art while in treatment allows clients to utilize art as a coping skill to decrease stress, promote relaxation, and release their emotions in a safe and therapeutic environment. It often times challenges their preconceived thoughts that they were “bad at art” and allows them to experience a sense of accomplishment and that it can feel good to make art.”
And here are some comments from the artists:
“Making art is my brain and my emotions talking. It’s all of me getting poured out onto a project, if feels really good…And I feel like I’m good at something.”
“Art helped me a lot and helps me focus; while I’m painting I don’t even think about doing drugs.”
“It’s awesome and therapeutic; I’m able to be more relaxed and can concentrate on finishing a task.”
“I have been able to give my kids artwork that I made, it makes me feel good. They ask me to make them more things.”
A story in the Nov. 2 edition of the Northwest Herald described the show:
“Works range from group projects submitted by veterans in the Rosecrance substance abuse program to persons receiving services through Turning Point and Family Alliance, individual work by persons connected with McHenry County’s National Alliance for Mental Health, the Social Connections Group, Centegra Health System, Thresholds, NISRA, Options and Advocacy, Jail Brakers and Garden Quarter.”
