1. In Oakland County
The show will be on
display:
July 1 – July 18
Novi Public Library
Novi Civic Center Fighting Stigma
45255 W. 10 Mile Rd.
The arts can help break through the
(248) 869-7225
by Celebrating
stigma surrounding mental illness
and creating art can be helpful to
people in their recovery.
Artistic Accomplishments
July 18 - July 29
Crittenton Hospital  A State wide two-year juried
The arts can be helpful to people traveling art show sponsored by the
with developmental disabilities in 1101 West University Drive Michigan Association of Mental
building new life skills and Rochester, MI 48307 Health boards.
becoming more resilient.
(248) 652-5499  Featuring artists who use
community mental health services in
the State of Michigan
www.occmha.org
This art exhibit has been brought to you,
in part, through the efforts of the Public
Relations Committee of the Michigan
Association of Community Mental Health
Boards. For more information go to “Jam Session” by Bradley Reynold.
www.macmhb.org Mr. Reynolds’ work was featured in 2009.
Samples of the statewide artists on display
at the show.

2. Encouraging Fighting stigma
recovery and resilience through the arts
through the arts
Most of us move through life
with the intent of being “When you call me names and stigmatize
useful. We want to feel that me because of my mental illness or my
what we do has value. Many developmental disability, you hurt me
artists give their lives purpose and shrink me.”
and meaning through their
creative efforts and artistic Two paintings, “The Party,” by, Jennifer Leonard
expression. (above), and “Lovin the Happiness,” by Sean “Stigma is like racism.”
Turner, (below) both from Oakland County, will
be featured. The 36 artists whose work is
“As a person with mental illness, represented in this statewide juried traveling art “Stigma takes all the different sides of me
creating art helps me to recover.” show are individuals of all ages who are living with as a person and shoves them into one
a mental illness or a developmental disability. mean name based only on my illness or
“ As a person with a developmental Each receives supports and services from their disability.”
disability, creating art helps me build local Community Mental Health Agency in the
new skills.” state of Michigan. This venue in Oakland County
“Art creates hope for me because, by being is sponsored by the Oakland County Community “When you call me names, I don’t want
creative, I can make a different and Mental Health Authority and the Michigan to take part in my community. When you
better future.” Association of Community Mental Health Boards make me ashamed of myself, I withdraw
(MACMHB). from everyday life. “
“Art teaches me how to make choices.
When I paint or draw, I have to make
choices each step of the way.” “People like me make our community a
“Art teaches me how to be responsible, richer and more interesting place to live.
because I am the one who has to make When I stay inside and hide, our
those choices and do the work.” community is poorer.”
“Art makes me a more powerful person,
because I learn how to make new things “Participating in art allows me to show
using my talent.” you some of my different sides. Offering
“Art connects me with the community, my art to you as a gift links us in a
because I offer my work to you, my healthy relationship based on creativity
audience, as a gift.” and respect.”