Awareness, Belonging and Creating – ABC for Mental Health’s art exhibition welcomes creativity while encouraging important conversations
Limerick non-profit organisation ‘ABC for Mental Health,’ is holding an art exhibition at Treaty City Brewery on Nicholas Street. The innovative exhibition began on September 29 and is running until October 15 in honour of Green Ribbon Month. Admission for the exhibition is free.
The exhibition will showcase a variety of work created by over 30 talented artists including Limerick creatives like Lynda Ryan, Cyril Downes and Nici Le Gear.
In a statement on social media, Amanda Clifford of ABC for Mental Health said: “We will be organising an art exhibition as we believe art is a form of communication, even when we do not have the words.”
Amanda Clifford is a psychotherapist from Kerry and has been based in Limerick for 20 years. Along with taking clients, Amanda set up the non-profit organisation in 2013 for those who felt they weren’t heard. The service facilitates events and workshops for people of all ages struggling with their mental health. Amanda has organised 12 previous art exhibitions to destigmatise mental health struggles and many of the dedicated artists have been working with her since the beginning.
“It’s all about a sense of belonging and we all have a right to show our art no matter who we are. Art is a way of communicating when we don’t have words,” Amanda said.
Green Ribbon Month is a campaign set up by See Change, an organisation that aims to spread awareness about mental health problems to help end the stigma and discrimination against people suffering with their mental health. The campaign encourages everyone to wear a green ribbon, which symbolises an interest and acceptance in conversations about mental health issues.
See Change picks a new theme for Green Ribbon Month annually and this year’s theme is judgement, and how to tackle it.
Conversations surrounding mental health are growing year by year and are becoming more widely accepted. Events like this upcoming art exhibition encourage people to engage in a serious discussion and reflection, whilst also appreciating the work and creativity of others.
“Each time we see an artist’s piece, regardless of their culture, sex or age, we get an insight into how that artist sees the world,” Amanda said.
A preview of the ABC for Mental Health art exhibition can be found on Instagram here.
The exhibition is then open daily from 11am – 11 pm before finishing on Sunday, October 15.
