Launching after World Mental Health Day, the Arts and Minds Network is celebrating its 18th anniversary with its ‘Spotlight’ art exhibition.
Launching after World Mental Health Day, the Arts and Minds Network is celebrating its 18th anniversary with its ‘Spotlight’ art exhibition.
Aiming to challenge the stigma experienced by people with mental health challenges, the show is a celebration of wellbeing and mental health and explores the links with creativity.
The exhibition will feature work by over 40 people, many of them undiscovered local artists, and will be a timely reminder of the important part creativity can play in people’s wellbeing and recovery.
Linda Boyles, Arts and Minds Network Development Manager, had this to say:
“We never imagined when we started the exhibition 18 years ago, that it would grow to be such a well-loved and anticipated feature of Leeds cultural calendar. Arts and Minds Network has helped chip away at the stigma of mental illness, by showcasing a wealth of undiscovered talent, and demonstrating how creativity can help people recover. We are thrilled to be celebrating the exhibition’s 18th anniversary.”
She also introduces the exhibition with some pertinent questions:
“What are mental health issues? What is ‘wellbeing’? What defines ‘normal’? In today’s diverse society, there is no such thing as normal. We all have our idiosyncrasies and that’s what makes us human, so please, view this show that takes a healthy look at mental health. It’s positive, perky and proud. Think Leeds, with glitter!”
According to The World Health Organisation, over 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder globally. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, poor mental health has been on the rise. With current life-changing events, there has never been a better time to raise the profile of these issues.
