Art show inspired by mental health issues opens this weekend

By Julia Fairclough

Rather than resorting to Facebook and Twitter, teenagers could benefit greatly by using art as a form of self expression; a more enriching tool that can make lives more meaningful.

“This is something that is important in our society, as there aren’t enough art programs available to our kids,” said Somerville artist Diane Novetsky, who led an art workshop with local Girl Scouts this past spring.

The Girl Scouts, along with youth from many other local organizations—such as Teen Empowerment, Somerville Cares about Prevention, Somerville High School Gay/Straight Alliance, Somerville Community Explorers, and the Somerville Youth Program—created art for the “Art on Emotion” exhibit that opens Sunday with a ceremony from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Somerville Museum on Westwood Road.

An announcement about the launch of a new national program called “Mental Health First Aid USA” will be made that night. The program entails 12 hour workshops for people to become certified as a mental health first aid in efforts for the city to offer more training to the community.

“Art in Emotion” is the culmination of the first year of the Somerville Committee on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health’s “Making connections – How are you doing?” campaign to reduce the stigma related to mental illness and to promote resiliency through encouraging self care strategies.

From January to May of this year, the youth-oriented community groups, as well as the Council on Aging, engaged in workshops run by volunteer artists.

“Finding outlets to express emotion is crucial in maintaining positive mental health,” said Patty Contente, the Clinical Youth Specialist from the Somerville Health Department. “It is often too difficult to put our feelings into words.”

Each piece of art is accompanied by a narrative that tells a story about what is behind the work. More and more research talks about the importance of art therapy, Contente said. The show will also include submissions from artists suffering from mental illness, also detailing personal stories.

“Oftentimes people think that schizophrenia is the most common mental illness, when in reality it is anxiety disorders,” Contente said. “Another big issue is depression, which is the number one cause of disabilities in the world. Yet it is the most treatable illness.”

Novetsky got involved in the art workshops because she wanted to do more with the community.

“As an artist I am concerned that art programs are being cut,” she said. “Art is a great way to feel better about yourself.”

Somerville artist Maureen Cunningham worked with senior citizens to create tiles painted with a special clay material. The theme was expressions of joy.

“It was fun working with them because they are all such characters,” Cunningham said. “It was a great social activity for them. I stressed that anyone can do art and that you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy it.”