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“Bluebird’s Words”
(About the Arts) By Bluebird (Gayle)
Were you luckier than I was to go to Alternatives this year? Alternatives’ is our annual national consumer conference this year, held in Buffalo, NY, our 23rd year. I was scheduled to go as the arts coordinator, as I have done traditionally at most of these conferences, but due to illness, I was unable to go. Nevertheless, I noted in the program that was sent to me, that this year’s conference had more arts activities than any other thus far. I counted a total of 12 arts related workshops of all different types, poetry, arts and healing, Humor and Laughter, music,etc.
The “Howie the Harp Arts Award” was presented to Darby Penney, (NY) for her work on The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic, a photo project of 400 patients’ suitcases that were discovered in an abandoned attic of a state hospital in New York. The award is given annually to someone who exemplifies using the arts as a means of social change, as Howie once did, carrying his harmonica and making music wherever he went and recognized for being a mediator and communicator in the early years of our consumer movement.
The Open Mic Talent Show on Saturday night, I heard, was a big success with people performing well after midnight. (The list of people who come prepared to perform keeps growing each year—hmm, maybe we will have to go all night next year!!) Also, drumming in the evening, cabaret music performed by peers at early dinners in the hotel, were events we added to the list this year and, I understand, were highly successful. Is it any wonder that we should be asking for an additional day to next year’s conference as a special arts institute? Stay tuned, and if you want to engage in the planning and promoting of this contact me at my email address listed below.
In our state of Florida, the Arts are prominent as Florida Peer Network is finalizing a photo and video project of “What a Difference a Friend Makes.” This is a federally funded project as part of the national anti-stigma initiative for which Patrick Hendry is doing an excellent job of coordinating.
Altered States of the Arts is a loosely defined organization, but longstanding and kept together, in part, by its website, organized and maintained by Ed Pazicky, in Port Charlotte. Different talented artists from around the country are showcased every three to four months, all whom proudly use the arts to illustrate and tell their stories of their mental health experiences. The website Includes visual artists, poets, and performers, as well as others. Currently, the featured artists include Sharon Wise, (D.C.), poetry from David Kime and Art of Ken |
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Ken Segal both from PA. Ken had years earlier studied to be a physician, then through turbulent years of depression and suicide attempts, declared himself an “artist painter” who illustrates his manic delusions and hallucinations in what he calls figurative “automatic” paintings. Do check out his outstanding work on this web site.
Nine Muses Arts Studio, a consumer managed drop-in center and arts center, continues to thrive in Broward County with regularly scheduled exhibits and events. You can find their full monthly calendar by putting going to: www. mhabroward.org/9muses.html. Many varied workshops are scheduled on a regular basis. On November 28, their Annual Potluck Party and Games will be held from 12-5. If you live or are in the area, stop by and check them out.
Many other drop-in centers feature the arts in the state of Florida but you may want to check on Project Return in Tampa (wwwprojectreturn.citymake.com) as they have a large arts component in their programs. You will find an art exhibit on this site that is quite nice.
On a national level again, I will be getting ready for the National NAMI Conference, to be held in San Francisco this year. It has become customary for there to be a symposium on the arts that involves a panel of artists from the local area. We also have a live Open Mic that has become extremely popular at this conference. Make your plans early to be there.
If you are working as a peer specialist or hope to become one, you will be interested in the Creativity Cookbook I am working on that provides lots of ideas on how to incorporate the arts in your work primarily in inpatient settings. Please contact me if you are interested.
In the meantime remember, “The highest form of courage is the courage to create,” (Rollo May). And-- may I add, “Be Creative and Fear No Art.”!!!
Gayle Bluebird, RN Coordinator Peer Networking Office of Technical Assistance NASMHPD Contact Bluebird at: gaylebluebird@aol.com |