Sonoma Arts Guild hosts exhibit of artists with mental health challenges

Local gallery shows works of disadvantaged artists.|
LORNA SHERIDAN
INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

“I started painting at a young age. I became ill and had to drop out of art school where I had been given an honors studio as the youngest person to get one. I had had a high degree of skill, but I lost it and later had to

Notes from an artist: Jeff Glauthier

'Once in a while, something comes along that rocks our carefully constructed world, leaving us in awe of art outside our bubble,' said Jackie Lee, of the Arts Guild of Sonoma. 'Some of our gallery artists attended an art exhibition last year and were very taken with art produced by disadvantaged artists. Living with mental or emotional challenges, some artists without housing, all attend the art program at the Wellness and Advocacy Center of Santa Rosa. In this peer-run, self-help mental health program, individuals have access to art supplies and are encouraged to bring their creativity out, to find their own happiness.'

The Wellness Center, on Chanate Road, is a peer-operated and managed self-help center for mental health.

As explained by the Wellness Center's art director, Naomi Murakami, mental illness is one of the most misunderstood and dishonored disabilities, and the Center's art program hopes to dispel the stigma attached to those with mental health challenges by sharing their art within our communities.

The Arts Guild of Sonoma will host a free opening night reception for an upcoming exhibit of works by Wellness Center artists, on Friday, Sept. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m., with wine and food.

Due to the challenges involved in transporting the participants to Sonoma, they will not be able to attend in person.

The local artists also exhibiting in the Arts Guild space in September include Patricia Akay, Roberta Alexander, Barbara Aliza, Laura Culver, Dee Dushkes, Irene Ehret, Zaza Fetterly, Yvonne Giambrone-Martin, Christine Gonzalves, Kirk Hinshaw, Merryl Latini, Jackie Lee, Nancy Martin, Helen Mehl, Linda Semple, Lyn Swan, Thena Trygstad, Jennifer Whitfield and Mark Zukowski.

The Arts Guild is dedicating the month of September to this exhibition, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and running through Monday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesdays.

The gallery is located at 140 E. Napa St.

“I started painting at a young age. I became ill and had to drop out of art school where I had been given an honors studio as the youngest person to get one. I had had a high degree of skill, but I lost it and later had to

Notes from an artist: Jeff Glauthier

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