May
Awaken….to a Breath of Fresh Art
Posted under Art, |
The brilliance of what Robert Lundin and Irene O'Neill have fostered through The Awakenings Project is textured, yet refreshingly bright; controversial, yet simply empowering. These two activists in the arts community have designed and maintain an arts program in the village of Glen Ellyn, outside of Chicago, through which artists with mental illnesses are able to tap into their creativity. All the while, Awakenings challenges media and societal stereotypes of mental illness and the tiring, negative connotations of people with psychiatric disabilities. Lundin and O'Neill, who both have mental health histories, are, in a sense, artists, educators, and social activists extraordinaire.
Originally the brainchild of Lundin, what began as an art show, The Awakenings Art Show, at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Illinois' annual conferences, sought to uncover the artistic brilliance of people with mental illnesses. There quickly emerged a camaraderie among this group of often marginalized members of society. The Awakenings Project's other goals are both to debunk long-held and generally exaggerated myths regarding violence, inadequacy and dependency of persons with mental illnesses, and to foster wonderful art and literature. Additionally, Lundin's vision sought (and succeeds) in putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak, by providing a template for their artistically inclined men and women to launch themselves creatively and even professionally. And, of course, Lundin and his colleague O'Neill seek to "raise public awareness of the creative talents and contributions of people living with psychiatric disorders."
On a more logistical note, Lundin and O'Neill conform to the idea of multiple manifestations of art--a medium for awareness, education, and change--by incorporating an internationally acclaimed literary arts journal, The Awakenings Review, music, and theatrical events into their more established visual art exhibits. These writers and artists are welcome to participate in any or all facets of programming.
Now, as is true of most non-profit agencies, these two ultra community-minded professionals also hold other jobs. So any support in terms of fundraising, time volunteered, and participation are, of course, welcome. And, it is ALWAYS an option to inquire about purchase or visitation in the studio/gallery or a subscription to The Awakenings Review.
The Awakenings Project was the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Recovery by a Non-Profit Organization award by the Irwin Foundation at Celebration Recovery 2006 and spun off from the National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2004. www.nami.org
For more information go to www.theawakeningsproject.org
By Blythe Landry
