A special event is being held at the University of Stirling to celebrate arts and creativity - and to challenge the stigmas surrounding mental health.
“A Creative Road” is being hosted in the University’s Pathfoot Building on Friday 4 October from 7 pm to 9 pm. It has been organised by the University in conjunction with Artlink Central, a Stirling-based arts charity – and is part of the 7th annual Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.
Sarah Bromage from the University’s Art Collection team said: “The evening promises to encompass a wide variety of arts and arts performances and speakers addressing mental health issues from all over Forth Valley. All the artists and performers have generously donated their time and work voluntarily. The event will include spoken word performances from Anita Govan, the Stirling Makar, as well as stories, songs, comedy and visual art. There will also be screenings of three short films about mental health issues – ‘Hear Me’, ‘Arts in Mind, The Journey’ and ‘Contours of Us’ all made by the Reachout group.”
She added: “Organisations and individuals from across the Forth Valley can meet and celebrate work being created in response to mental health issues, as part of recovery from and maintaining mental health well-being. It is hoped the event will entertain, inspire and help unite those working locally within arts and mental health groups by fostering partnerships.
“Show your support for the arts and the one-in-four of us who suffer mental health issues. Please attend this event and help to make it a success.”
To book your free place, please call 01786 450 971 or email info@artlinkcentral.org
The 4 October event complements a current Artspace exhibition in the University’s Pathfoot Building, produced by artists recovering from mental ill health. The exhibition runs until 10 December, 2013.
Sarah said: “A group of artists worked in residence at the University from June to September 2013 and work produced during this time is currently being exhibited in the University’s Pathfoot building. Artlink Central’s Artspace Group is a group for adults who are recovering from mental ill health. For some participants, Artspace is their first experience of attending an art class and exhibiting. For others it is a return to long forgotten times.”
Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
Members of the Artspace group, in front of their work, now being displayed in the Pathfoot Building at the University of Stirling. The free exhibition runs until 10 December and is open to the public.