This exhibit is the result of a general call for art that gives visual voice to the issues of social justice and opportunities for positive change. Additionally, this exhibit is the result of a collaborative committee charged with bringing social justice art in all its forms to the Annual International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference. The art for this exhibit was reviewed by the committee, which is made up of artist/social workers that specialize in theater, poetry, music performance, creative writing, photography, visual art, and more (members include: Rosie Best, Tori Sullivan-Cortez, Maxwell Cleary, Tary Blair, Nora Riggs, Heather Sloane, and Johnanna McDaniel). Sarah Kramer, an MSW student with an undergraduate degree in photojournalism, collaborated with art therapists and art teachers to oversee the design of the exhibit.

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Come visit the Art Studio; you may be surprised by how refreshing and hope-inspiring just looking at colors and textures can be. In the studio, there will be an array of materials from yarn and fabric to markers, oil pastels, and papers. Participants might choose to do an art task that has base “weaving,” that can be further developed and embellished to create a personal message of hope. Participants might spend five minutes or decide to stay for an hour.  There will be art trained volunteers in the studio to assist with ideas and to offer support.  Do not miss this opportunity to refresh, create and inspire! This is a collaborative sponsorship with Unison Health, Inc. and NAMI of Greater Toledo, Creative Expressions program.

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The artists in this exhibit are adult, mental health consumers from Unison Health, Inc., The Zeph Center, and NAMI of Greater Toledo, Creative Expressions program. The artists’ images share personal journeys and universal common ground. Images hold the tension of their struggle and also the illumination of new strength and opportunity. Throughout history, art making has been a powerful means to regain balance, stabilize crisis, and form potential. Creating art calls one to action: to question, to choose, to organize, to express. When the artist faces an empty canvas, the duality of emptiness and opportunity is felt. As the artist picks up the paint brush and begins to paint, a commitment to forming, reforming, and transforming begins. As the artist stands back and gazes at the work in progress, further personal dialogue with the self is made possible. Perhaps reflection on extremes, such as dark and light, violence and safety, loneliness and trust, are prompted by the painting. Perhaps consideration of chaos into order, or shattered into healing, is further contemplated. Concepts of justice, respect, loyalty, peace, or compassion may be more fully developed. The images may call one to question, to action, to connect deeply with one’s soul, or to reach out in a new way to the community. While viewing the exhibit, the artists hopes you: 1) Gain awareness of the range and depth of mental health challenges; 2) Discover and see the power in communicating hope and healing; and 3) Consider actions you might take to create hope and support mental health recovery.

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This exhibit features the work of high school students ranging from 13 to 18 years old, as they experiment with various media and techniques. The students’ work shows a range of emotions through the use of color, value, and contrast while dealing with the human figure. The selfies display students' expressiveness and portrayal of emotion through body language, color, pattern, and line. Students primarily used monoprinting techniques. This process allowed the students to change colors and their artistic style based on the emotion they expressed. Senior Studio students used Jaume Plensa as an inspiration for this project. Plensa is a Spanish sculptor whose work unifies individuals through spirituality and collective memory. His installation, "Human Landscape," was recently exhibited at the Toledo Museum and focused on the human figure in various media. Seniors used chicken wire as media, as it is strong enough to structurally form the human figure, but is made up of holes and allows light to pass through. Students played with this juxtaposition of elements as they explored the human figure and human relationships. Beginning art students drew eyes, stripping away facial features to focus on one single part of their appearance. Students enlarged their eyes, keeping a similar scale and proportion. Displayed together they show similarities in shape, drawing materials, and technique, but a closer look shows emotions and unique individuals. When you view this exhibit, try to imagine the teenagers who created this work, the choices made by each individual, and the various emotions that are conveyed.

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This exhibit features the work of poet and survivor, Tary Blair. Beginning at birth and throughout her life, Tary has faced many challenges. She has turned to poetry as a reprieve from abuse, addiction, heartbreak, loss, and multiple attempts at suicide. For this exhibit, Tary worked with a small group of professionals consisting of a master’s level social worker and two graduate social work students who have personal experience in poetry, painting, and photography, respectively. Through a combination of multiple disciplines, Tary’s poetry comes to life for viewers in order to serve as an inspiration for others and portray a picture of hope, encouragement, and survival. Experiencing poetry can be transformative and cathartic, not only for the writer, but for the reader as well. Whether read or listened to, poetry can evoke memories, feelings or experiences that have been untapped in our everyday lives. In “Connecting Hope and Survival Through Creative Expression,” viewers can read poetry and hear directly from the artist via video. It’s said; “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Our hope is that through a thousand words, one will walk away with a picture of hope, strength and survival.

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"Remember Me" is an original play written by Maxwell K. Cleary about what a family goes through when a loved one has memory problems. The play looks carefully at how those with memory loss are often treated as children and face severe age discrimination. The play also shows the barriers, demands, and isolation families face when trying to care for a loved one. Maxwell Cleary is a hospice social worker in Toledo and his practice experience of grief is clear throughout the play. Issue Box will be producing the play and is headed by Rosie Best who is a social worker in the Toledo community with a history in theater education. Issue Box was started while Rosie was a MSW student at the University of Toledo as a community project bringing together art and social justice action.

Performance Information:

Location:

Recital Hall at University of Toledo’s Center for Performing Arts- 1919 W Rocket Drive

Dates and Times:

       Wednesday, 9/20 @ 7:30pm

       Thursday, 9/21 @ 7:30pm

       Friday, 9/22 @ 7:30pm

       Saturday, 9/23 @ 2:00pm

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