The Mental Wellness Center’s 27th Annual Mental Health Arts Festival is returning better than ever! Now titled Artful Minds, the Arts Faire is taking place on Saturday, May 20th at Chase Palm Park Field from 11AM – 3PM, honoring the work of local artists living with mental illness and celebrating the power of creative expression. Approximately 60 local artists are expected to participate in this uplifting and inspirational show.
This free community event aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness, while showcasing the talents and identities of people affected by mental health diagnoses.
The Mental Health Arts Festival is a longstanding Santa Barbara tradition and a much-anticipated event for the artists that participate. Beyond just being an arts festival, this event offers a unique opportunity for individuals living with mental illness to exhibit their creative talents, enhance their self-esteem and be perceived as worthy and valuable members of our community. All too often, people living with mental illness are marginalized and perhaps not seen through the same lens as those of us who are blessed to have them in our lives as co-workers, friends or family. While others may see their differences or limitations, we choose to see their attributes, their strengths and their resilience despite the sometimes enormous odds against them.
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