Mental health can benefit from dose of art
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By The Chippewa Herald
Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:30 PM CDT
Over the past two years, the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association has initiated a project to promote the talents of people with disabilities. The Art of Recovery will kick off a year of events that will emphasize how people struggling with mental illness can use the arts to put them on the path to mental wellness. Art is a valuable tool that can help facilitate empowerment and encourage recovery. The personal growth and improvement in socialization skills, confidence and self-esteem in artists and performers can be phenomenal.
The event is an evening of music intended to fight the stigma associated with mental illness. A concert is being planned from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls.
Musicians are being sought to perform at the concert. Those interested should contact Deb Johnson at (715) 726-9000.
The series will raise awareness of the healing potential of the arts for people seeking mental wellness, as well as break down the stigmas associated with mental illness.
Proceeds from the event will raise funds for the non-profit organization Rosebud and Friends. Epidemiological research suggests that nearly ten percent of the population may have a major mental illness in their lifetimes. Rosebud and Friends is a Chippewa Falls-based organization run by mental health consumers for consumers that provides support and assistance to people struggling with mental illness.
Other events are planned by the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls.
They are:
Wednesday night concerts
The last two of the Wednesday Night Concerts are planned on Sept. 3 and 10.
Cellist Paul Kosower performs at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 3 performs in a solo recital — playing the wonderful unaccompanied literature for the cello and some original works — with comments throughout.
Singer, guitarist and songwriter Anna Johnson performs at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Johnson just won a full scholarship to the McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul. This is a CD release concert.
Admission is $3 for adults, with children under 16 are free with an adult.
September artists
The September Artists of the Month are the “Driven to Abstraction” students of Patricia Hamm.
The exhibit is open during daytime building hours and special evening events from Friday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 29. There is no admission charge to the public.
An unusual exhibit of non-representational acrylic, watercolor and collage works by 18 to 20 artists who have taken Patricia Mayhew Hamm’s three workshops in 2007 and 2008. A reception date for the artists will be announced.
The Jail Bailers
“The Jail Bailers” will give a show at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23. These “inmates” are part of a Work Release Program doing time for things like stealing the show! Seven performers, mostly members of the Eau Claire Male Chorus, in a silly, laugh-out-loud musical variety show featuring great songs sprinkled with often-improvisational comedy.
An evening of plain good old-fashioned fun with the guys. This is part of a bus tour, but also open to the public.
For information about the tour and/or the concert, contact Jayne at Tours, Etc. (715) 878-4857.
Pianist Alexandre Dossin
Brazilian pianist Alexandre Dossin returns to the Heyde Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.
His program includes Tchaikovsky and Liszt, among other composers.
Dossin is well known in our area as an active teaching and performing member of the UW-Eau Claire faculty from 2002 to 2006. He is currently on the faculty of the University of Oregon School of Music and continues to give concerts in the United States and internationally.
His many awards include first prize and special prize in the 2003 Martha Argerich International Piano Competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argerich wrote, “His performances are magnificent, with very pure musical insight, and an extreme sensitivity, together with real virtuosity.”
Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $7 for students under 22.
For more information about any of the events, visit www.cvca.net or call (715) 726-9000.
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