Expressions
Supporting Mental Health Through Artistic Expression
- This year’s Book Launch will be held on Wed, May 28th, 1-3pm at the Brandon Public Library – Downtown Branch.
- Our next Art Sale will be held on Thurs, May 29th at the Brandon Shoppers Mall (near the food court), 10am-8pm.
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 addictions, and who are interested in sharing their experiences with others. The group has been doing so since 1998.
We accept photos of artwork, crafts, or projects (knitting, woodworking); any type of writing (stories, songs, poetry); 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 and addictions.
We are always taking submissions. The deadline for submissions is typically early January of each year to be included in the following Spring’s edition of the book. See our guidelines and submission form.
There is a Book Launch event held every year in the spring/early summer to launch that year’s book. At that event, copies are provided to everyone who contributed work to that year’s edition and additional copies are available for purchase for $10. It also gives an opportunity for individuals who have submitted to the book to share a reading of their written work or share their personal experiences. This year’s Book Launch will be held on Wed, May 28th, 1-3pm at the Brandon Public Library – Downtown Branch.
We also support artists and artisans to showcase and sell their work at our Expressions Art and Craft Sales typically held in spring and fall each year. These sales aim to help the artists offset the costs of their hobbies and reduce the stigma around mental health issues. Our next Art Sale will be held on Thurs, May 29th at the Brandon Shoppers Mall (near the food court), 10am-8pm.
These projects all receive support and funding through the Prairie Mountain Health Mental Health and Addictions program and are open to participants from throughout the PMH region.
For more information contact
Katie Hoover
Expressions Committee chairperson
204-578-2456
