Seacoast Mental Health Center Art of Recovery Special Edition www.artofrecoverynh.org
Spring 2012 Issue 7
Finding ‘Recovery’ through Art (NHAA) members to create art as equal partners.
F
“On the evening tide” by Judith Doughty
or many people with mental illness, involvement in the arts is an important part of their recovery.
“Promoting Recovery since 1963”
Recovery is holistic
In the context of mental health, recovery is a process that focuses on personal satisfaction and meaning, touching on themes related to empowerment and self-discovery.
“It’s helped clients gain a better perspective on their own potential as artists,” he said. “Their confidence has been boosted, too, which is important for their individual recoveries.”
Recovery is supported through relationships
For client artist Charlene, AOR has helped her meet new people.
Recovery occurs through many pathways Research suggests that participation in creative activities like art can help provide an external environment condusive for individuals actively working toward recovery. Rob said another important aspect to AOR is that it pairs SMHC client artists with New Hampshire Art Association
Citing they have developed a “real level of respect and trust” with one another, Lynne said she wants to make Kirsten “the star” of the final event, which takes place on Friday, May 18th at Harbor Events & Conference Center in Portsmouth. “I have really taken a background position,” said Lynne. “Kirsten has an engaging personality and a genuine natural talent.”
Recovery is person-driven
Client artist Randall notes the experience has enabled him to “push [his] understanding of perspective.”
SMHC’s Art of Recovery (AOR) celebrates this process in an effort to educate the community and break down the stigma of mental illness. “People are much more than their mental illness,” said SMHC’s Rob Levey. “The Art of Recovery is our way of demonstrating that.”
me get back into the community.”
“I think the Art of Recovery is terrific,” she said. “It’s given me an opportunity to break out of my shell. It’s been very therapeutic for me.”
Recovery is based on respect
“I hope that is the biggest bonus I get from [AOR]—to have a better understanding of other people’s perspectives and to hopefully help others see a bit of mine,” said Randall. To learn more, or to purchase tickets for the Art of Recovery Dinner & Auction on Friday, May 18th, visit www.artofrecoverynh.org.
Fellow client artist Kirsten describes her collaboration with NHAA member Lynne as “a caring relationship.” “I feel like she’s there for me--she’s very dependable and attentive,” she said. “The Art of Recovery has helped by Judith Totman
Stay current with SMHC! Photo by Kirsten R.
Visit www.smhc-nh.org and join our email list or “like” us at www.facebook.com/smhcnh.
ounded in 1963, the mission of Seacoast Mental Health Center is to provide a Fhealth broad, comprehensive array of high quality, effective and accessible mental services to residents of the eastern half of Rockingham County.
Sponsors making Art of Recovery possible When initially conceived, it was not clear the role corporate sponsors would play within the Art of Recovery (AOR). Nearly one year into the ambitious collaboration between SMHC and the New Hampshire Art Association, SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture said that role has become much more clearly defined. “AOR has benefited tremendously from the financial contributions made by our sponsors,” said Couture. “In addition to helping us meet the community’s mental health needs, strong corporate support raises AOR’s profile in the community and “Looking Down Memorial Bridge” by Ron St. Jean increases awareness of mental illness and reduces stigma.” For Pam Morrison, Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Optima Bank & Trust, the opportunity to support AOR represents a direct investment in the community. “The Center serves a lot of folks in the area, so we are happy to support them and this worthwhile program,” she said. Also citing SMHC’s “important role within the community,” Rick Wallis, Executive Vice President at Piscataqua Savings Bank, said they are “proud to support The Art of Recovery.”
John Burcke, Vice President and Small Business Lending Team Leader at Kennebunk Savings, said they are pleased “to invest in an organization that plays such an important role in the lives of those with mental illness.” “We saw the Art of Recovery as an opportunity to help those suffering with mental illness express themselves and affect positive changes in their lives,” Burcke said.
by Lynne Guimond Sabean
Additional sponsors include Boynton, Waldron, Doleac, Woodman & Scott, P.A., CGI Employee Benefits Group, Addiction Recovery Services, CMH Wealth Management, LLC, Exeter Hospital, Waddell and Reed, Fred C. Church, BayRing Communications, C.G. Shaffer, Dwyer, Donovan & Pendleton, P.A., and Infinite Imaging.
About the Art and Artists The Art of Recovery is extremely diverse in terms of its art and those who are creating it. With a little less than one month until the Art of Recovery Dinner & Auction, expected final projects from AOR’s nine team pairings range from sculpture and mixed media to collage, watercolors, and pastels. “While we worked intentionally to pair artists based on mutual artistic interests, we also tried to match personalities, hoping they would explore other mediums that were outside of their comfort zone, ” said C.G. Shaffer, SMHC Board Member . “It seems that’s exactly what occurred.” Noting her AOR partner Charlene has reignited her desire to move from 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional art, NHAA member Ruthie said her participation in AOR reflects her belief in the seriousness of art as a meaningful form of expression. by Peg Murray
“Art is not frivolous and fluffy--it’s a language without speaking,” she said. “Art motivates, it’s who I am, a cathartic way of connecting with others.” For Charlene, art can be very personal, especially as it relates to AOR. “The collaboration is in our thought process,” she said. “We’ve shared our art experiences and tried some things out--we reinforce each other. “ Through her art, NHAA member Judith hopes “to inspire the desire to preserve and protect [the] world for all life.” “I hope to awaken the soul of the viewer to the beauty of the world we all share,” she said.
by Shea L.
“Promoting Recovery since 1963”
“We recognize that, due to State budget cuts, this organization needs community support more than ever to provide their valuable services,” he added.