Connecting Through Art

MIND BODY SOUL FINANCE

MIND

Connecting through Art

BY KATIE M c CULLOUGH

In

middle school, my grandmother and I walked into an art gallery featuring local artists who used art as a means of recovery from various mental illnesses and trauma. The striking colors, textures, and images on the stark white walls of the gallery helped create an intense atmosphere with strangers all gathering to gasp at the grotesque, emotional depictions of feelings they could relate to, but never talked about. As a young teen wrestling with confusing ideas about my own sexuality, I was drawn to a painting depicting an LGBTQ+ child, clad in rainbows, cowering in the fetal position of a dark room. Not only was it a haunting portrayal of all-too-familiar feelings for many of us growing up in places with a conservative majority, but the plaque dedicated to the artist elaborated on the cathartic experience it was for the painter to construct this piece. This artist felt like an outsider amidst the close-minded community members, but found freedom and acceptance in the art community.

Art is an outlet we can use to fi nd like-minded peers and process our feelings, thus improving our overall mental health. In a study conducted by Heather L. Stuckey and Jeremy Nobel, they fi nd that by having a creative outlet, “either as an observer...or as an initiator of one’s own creative eff orts,” this practice “can enhance one’s mood, emotions, and other psychological states.” The most relatable example of this phenomenon would be through music. Think about the music you play on your way home from work when you’re trying to relax and relieve stress, or the music from your infamous emo phase as a young teen who cannot cope with the pressures of young adult life. Music can drive our mood and help guide our mental health. Music also works as a connector to people around us. Our tribe.

So, what now? What if you don’t consider yourself to be a creative person? Engaging in creative outlets does not necessarily mean visiting an art gallery or picking up an instrument. Perhaps you like working with your hands and crafting a product out of raw materials, or cooking something new that you enjoy rather than out of obligation. Maybe you like to move your body and dance around the living room, or get out of the house and take photographs of scenes that bring you joy. Use your mind for things other than your obligations. The key is to make mistakes and simply try.

KATIE McCULLOUGH,

graduate of Flagler College, is currently teaching English Language Arts in Saint Augustine, FL, specializing in gifted and exceptional education. Prior to attending graduate school, Katie plans to pursue her passion for writing while fi nding time to travel the world.