People Incorporated’s
Annual Art Show—Artability at APOLLO
By Nancy L. Blakestad, Ph.D.
One
might assume an art show featuring artwork by those with mental illness
would focus on mental illness—its symptoms, struggles,
and pain. But Artability at APOLLO is about something much bigger.
It’s about artists and art-lovers coming together to celebrate
the very essence of what makes a community strong—the sharing
of their skills and talents for the benefit of the common good. And
it’s about making space in our society for everyone—including
those of our friends, neighbors, and family members—who experience
mental illness.
The main purpose of
the event is to celebrate the creativity of those with mental illness
and the contributions they make to our communities. Many in society
still see those who suffer from mental illness through the lens
of stigma, and getting away from the “mentally
ill” label is one of the toughest challenges for those who
have the disease. For many artists with mental illness, the very
process of doing art gives them a place where they can escape the
labels and express themselves—whether it’s pain or joy,
confusion or exhilaration, heartache or hope—and see themselves
in a new light. Artability is also a place where we, as a community,
pause to listen to what they have to say—and see those with
mental illness in a new light, too.
Over 85 artists collectively
exhibited over 330 pieces of artwork at last year’s three-day show, and for many artists, the program
is the start of something big. Artist Vue Vang exhibited his artwork
for the first time last year—and won first prize in drawing
and sold his first piece of art. “It was the first time I really
took myself seriously as an artist and recognized my abilities,” says
Vue. “I feel at home when I do art, and being with people with
mental illness makes me feel that finally someone understands who
I am.”
Vue was born in Laos
and spent three years in a refugee camp before coming to the U.S.
at the age of seven. Diagnosed with major depression at a young
age, things became worse for him following the death of his father
a number of years ago. “My world really collapsed—I
felt really confused, and to escape I started to draw—at first
because I wanted to draw a picture of my father. But then I discovered
that drawing helped me make sense out of everything. Artability has
helped end my isolation—the workshops and the exhibit let me
focus on something positive. I am so grateful to those who support
Artability.”
Shelley Jutila came
to recognize her talent just a year or so ago. “I
like to do knitting, beadwork, and weaving—but my sister and
mother were the artists in the family. One day an art teacher suggested
I try drawing—at first without looking at what I was doing,
a technique that keeps you from trying to be perfect. It turned out
much better than I thought—it was extraordinary. I still do
all of my drawing that way.”
A native of Wayzata,
Shelley studied art and music in Marshall and wanted to go to graduate
school, but bipolar disorder got in her way at the age of 27. “It wasn’t really obvious that
it was bipolar disorder because my high phases are relatively short—it’s
called hypomania,” Shelley explains. “I tend to be mostly
in the depressed side. I’ve felt really suicidal sometimes—it’s
scary, and I’ve been hospitalized quite a few times. Luckily,
I have a wonderful husband who really supports me, and that helps
a lot.”
Winning the Artability
t-shirt and poster contest this summer has helped to transform
Shelley’s view of herself. “I was
hoping to win, but when I actually got the news, it was such a thrill!
Taking my art more seriously is changing my life—it gives me
a purpose and has boosted my self-esteem immensely. I can’t
tell you how wonderful it feels.”
Artability is a community-funded
event underwritten by generous grants from The Boss Foundation
and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. This year there’s an addition—an endowment fund
set up by Bart and Lynn Galle in honor of their son Alex Galle. Alex,
who suffered from depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder,
died accidentally at the age of 20 while in a treatment center for
drug abuse and mental illness. “Some of Alex’s happiest
times were painting. Some of his more private paintings were expressions
of pain, but many of his watercolors expressed joy and humor. He
loved painting them, but he loved giving them to other people even
more.”
For more information
contact Barbara Nichols, Resource Development Director, at 651-288-3504
or Barbara.Nichols@PeopleIncorporated.org
