Frederick’s Mental Health Workgroup, as part of the Local Health Improvement Process (LHIP), is spearheading a community-wide campaign titled “Colors of Compassion.” This initiative seeks to “foster inclusivity and compassion by harnessing the power of art to challenge societal stigmas surrounding mental health.”
Organized by the Transformative Arts Project and sponsored by the Mental Health Workgroup of LHIP in partnership with Heartly House and its the “From the heART” campaign, the Colors of Compassion event aims to provide a platform for individuals to express their experiences with mental health through creative means.
One of the notable contributors to this campaign is activist and creative, GabyNobody. As a survivor, GabyNobody’s art focuses on depicting the journey of healing and returning to self. Her current project, “The Rise & Thrive Experience,” is a collaborative effort between artists and survivors. Through workshops, participants create empowering portraits that capture their personal journey of healing and self-discovery.
The culmination of this campaign will be an art exhibit, held at New Spire Arts, located at 15 W Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701, on March 16th, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. The exhibit will showcase the diverse and empowering artwork created by participants, offering a unique perspective on mental wellness and resilience. In addition, the Heartly House and Transformative Arts Project (TAP) will provide a cafe, speaker panel, performances and resource tables.
Through Colors of Compassion, Frederick aims to create a supportive and understanding community that embraces individuals’ lived experiences with mental health. By leveraging the transformative power of art, the campaign seeks to spark conversations, challenge stereotypes, and promote healing and acceptance for all.
photo cred: Heartly House
