Artists in Action: Inspiration, Revelation, and Celebration
Artists in Action is continued for Alternatives 2022 with a new slideshow.
Click here for the Alternatives 2022 Art show.
Artists in Action is an exhibit for Alternatives 2021 designed by Deborah Trueheart and organized by Gayle Bluebird (Altered States of the Arts director) that is designed to celebrate exceptionally talented artists and poets who have used art as an essential outlet for their healing journey. The exhibit was organized to be part of Alternatives Conference 2021, being presented virtually due to the pandemic. Because the conference is virtual more artists could be included without the shipping and display issues of an in-person exhibit.
This exhibit “tells a story”, about artists as psychiatric survivors or persons with lived experiences who are proud to share their visions. Art that may be complex and intricate in design is not always understood at first glance. Art that is beyond the ooh and ah may express rage with images that scream about personal experience or a broken mental health system. We also celebrate art that makes the viewer feel warm and good about human life and the natural world. We explore art, not as therapy, but as revelation or in some cases revolution, envisioning a better world with paint, drawing, photography, even makeup.
These artists may identify themselves as MAD artists, Outsider artists, Healing artists, Change agents, or as one of Altered States of the Arts’ founders, Howie the Harp, called us --Crazy Folks artists.
Be sure to read these artists’ fascinating bios and see what they are doing besides art--working in other jobs, some in peer operated programs or in mental health agencies. Contact the artists whose work you admire because they all have many more pieces and would appreciate your feedback. Tell others about this exhibit.
Click here for the Alternatives 2021 Art show.
