‘We can get through this together’: Sacramento art exhibit puts spotlight on mental health
Updated: May 23, 2024 at 9:02 PM PDT
Sacramento is encouraging people to think about mental health. Well, some artists are presenting works that tell the story of their experiences and personal journeys. KCRA 3’s Andrea Flores tells us how art has impacted one Sacramento artist. This is my piece. It’s called “ASTRAL CONNECTION.” Elizabeth Davis looks at her work on display at the Sacramento LGBT Center. This piece is dedicated to her best friend, Caitlin Herrick, who passed away four years ago. Black and red are her favorite colors, and the rainbow represents her son. I really miss her, so I painted this painting. Davis started painting four years ago when the pandemic began. Painting abstract paintings is like a meditation for me. It feels really good to release everything I’m feeling on the canvas, like I’m energized, trying different colors and techniques. Her art has a positive impact on her mental health. When I’m making art, it’s like I’m almost not thinking that my anxiety was really, really bad. But making art has given me peace of mind. I grew up in a really tough environment and I’ve had a lot of family trauma and generational trauma. But art has saved me. Art is very soothing because it allows me to release my feelings and emotions. Raviola Ward praises her work in this year’s competition. I also started making art during the pandemic. I was carrying a lot of weight. I was feeling isolated. I was at home, I was pregnant, I had a lot going on. I’ve been trying really hard to overcome a lot of things that I’ve struggled with. Ward is a licensed clinical counselor in Sacramento. I go out into the community and help people who struggle with mental health issues. I also live with generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder and I’ve experienced trauma in my life. She uses her experience to help others to eliminate stigma. Sacramento Uh, my baby. You know, we’re spreading information. We’re spreading resources. And more than anything, we’re normalizing the fact that this mental health that we’re all experiencing is something that we all have. And sometimes we all struggle with mental health. But it’s important to find healthy ways to cope. I’ve learned tools to deal with things in healthier ways. We need to find ways to manage our mental health in healthy ways, whether that be through art, music, dance, or encouraging others. It’s okay to not be okay to start your own journey. We struggle too, but we can get through it together. I hope people feel that with this exhibit. Andrea Flores KCRA THREE NEWS
‘We can get through this together’: Sacramento art exhibit puts spotlight on mental health
Updated: May 23, 2024 at 9:02 PM PDT
A new exhibit at Sacramento’s LGBT Center aims to put a spotlight on mental health. It features work from several local artists, highlighting their experiences and personal journeys. “Creating abstract art has been like a meditation for me,” said Elizabeth Davis, who has work in the exhibit. “It feels so good to release everything I’m feeling on the canvas, like it gives me energy.” One of Davis’ paintings honors her best friend, who died four years ago. La Viola Ward, a licensed clinical counselor, also uses art as a healthy outlet. She said she started making art during the pandemic. “We’re struggling too, but we can get through this together,” Ward said. “I hope people take that away from the exhibit. Watch the video player above to learn more about how art has been a healthy outlet for Ward and Davis. More California Top Stories | Download the App
A new exhibit at Sacramento’s LGBT Center aims to put the spotlight on mental health.
Several local artists’ works are on display, highlighting their experiences and personal journeys.
“Creating abstract art has been a kind of meditation for me,” says exhibit creator Elizabeth Davis. “It’s energizing and really rewarding to release everything I’m feeling onto the canvas.”
One of Davis’ paintings pays tribute to her best friend, who died four years ago.
LaViola Ward, a licensed clinical counselor, also uses art as a healthy outlet, saying she started making art during the pandemic.
“We’re struggling too, but we can get through this together,” Ward said. “I hope people take that away from this exhibit.”
To learn more about how art has been a healthy outlet for Ward and Davis, watch the video player above.
See more California top news stories here | Download the app.
