Expressions – Supporting Mental Health Through Artistic Expression

Every year, the Expressions Committee publishes a small volume of artwork and writing by individuals and/or family members who have lived experience with mental health and co-existing conditions and are interested in sharing their experiences with others. The group has been doing so since 1998.

We accept photos of artwork, any writing (stories, songs, poetry), crafts or projects (knitting, woodworking), or anything someone does to express their creativity and support their mental health.

In gathering and publishing these books, we hope to inspire each other and give hope for recovery to all those affected by mental illness.

The deadline for submissions for the Spring 2024 book is Dec 1, 2023. And on Dec 2, we start gathering for the next year, and so on. Information and submission form.

There is an event held every year in the spring to launch that year’s book, and copies are provided to everyone who contributed work to that year’s edition.

We also support artists and artisans to showcase and sell their work at our Expressions Spring Art Sale and Expressions Holiday Market, typically held in May and November each year. These sales aim to help the artists offset the costs of their hobbies and reduce the stigma around mental health issues. The Expressions Holiday Market will take place on November 23 from 11 am to 4 pm at 529 4th Street in Brandon. Gifts, crafts and art will be available to purchase. We hope to see you there!

These projects all receive support and funding through the PMH Mental Health program and are open to participants from throughout the PMH region.

For more information, please contact the Expressions Committee chairperson, Katie Hoover, at [email protected] or 204-578-2456