IN THIS ISSUE
- Register for The Art of Grief: A Lived Experience Showcase on July 18
- Browse the full gallery of submitted works on IDHA's website
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Dear Friend,
In partnership with the Justice Arts Coalition, IDHA launched a project called “The Art of Grief” to demonstrate the power of creativity to tend to grief, in contrast with medicalized approaches. This project particularly seeks to uplift the voices and experiences of those currently or formerly incarcerated in institutions. This includes, but is not limited to, those held in jails, prisons, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, and group homes.
On Monday, July 18, we are co-hosting a virtual lived experience showcase to spotlight works submitted to The Art of Grief, with the hope of transmuting our collective grief into new narratives that celebrate the power of mutual support and community action. Ten artists or designated loved ones will present a curated selection of works, and attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the art in small groups. This event is open to anyone who has been impacted by the experience of grief and seeks to bridge dialogue among activists, artists, survivors, family members, advocates, mental health providers, and other community members.
Over the course of our project planning, the theme of grief has unfortunately only become more salient and palpable. We acknowledge the grief many of us are holding in light of the Roe v. Wade decision, and the myriad grief experiences shaped by our social and political contexts, including the ongoing pandemic. We uplift the diversity of grief experiences and hope this event can serve as a venue to explore and discuss them.
Donations and Access: There is a suggested $10 donation for this event. Donations of any size help cover the costs of art supplies and shipping for incarcerated artists, as well as equipping the event with closed captioning and ASL interpretation. The event will be recorded and shared with all registrants alongside a transcript and a resource list.
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Gallery of Submitted Works
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In March 2022, IDHA and JAC invited our networks to create artwork demonstrating the myriad shapes that grief can take, as well as the many ways that we can tend to our grief.
More than 40 artists submitted original work, spanning a range of grief experiences and mediums. We invite you to peruse the gallery of paintings, prose, zines, drawings, poems, collages, photographs, sculptures, sound art, and more. Pieces are accompanied by further details, including artist biography and statement, and a visual description.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of the contributing artists for your time and creativity. Grief can be intangible; when language fails us, art can be a powerful and effective tool to convey what words cannot.
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ABOUT IDHA
IDHA is an organization of current and prior mental health service users and survivors; psychiatrists, psychologists, and other clinicians; community activists; and artists who have come together to transform mental health care through advanced education and community development.
Become a member and join a growing community of mental health change makers.
Become a supporter and make a tax-deductible donation today.
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