The Cowichan Valley Regional District's Arts & Culture Division is collaborating with the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, the South Cowichan Arts Guild, Arts at Cowichan Lake, Arts Council of Ladysmith and the District, as well as Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society to kick off the new year with an intersection of art and health in their upcoming art exhibit 'Recognition and Recollection' which will be on display inside the third floor gallery of the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre from Jan. 8 to Feb. 28.
"The darkness of winter and pressures of the holiday season can bring on feelings of loneliness and depression for some people while some feel rejuvenated through connecting with friends and family and a chance to rest," said CVRD Arts and Culture Division supervisor Laura Stephenson. "The new year brings a chance to reflect on what we've been through over the past year and what we hope for next, including taking care of our health. According to the 2024 Island Health Our Health, Our Communities Health and Wellness Survey, 31 per cent of our community members report fair to poor mental health, and 24 per cent say their mental health interferes with social activities but mental health is also about positive feelings and resiliency."
'Recognition & Recollection' will have 51 artists showcasing 55 visual art pieces ranging from abstraction to detailed portraits, fibre art, and more. The hope is that this exhibit will invoke feelings of both affirmation and validation that art is essential for supporting mental health. It will touch on themes involved in personal relationships, depression, memory, and cognitive decline.
It is through visual art, music, film, literature, and theatre that people are able to better connect and understand one another.
"This collaborative project recognizes how art is vital for expressing and understanding the spectrum of universal human experiences," said Stephenson. "Research shows that just looking at art has an immediate effect on reducing stress and increasing well-being, likely two things we can all use more help with. January is also Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and many of the pieces in the show address how cognitive decline impacts mental health for both the person experiencing the changes and the people who care for them."
All are invited to attend the free opening reception on Jan. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m., to take in world-class art, meet and mingle with the featured artists, enjoy a snack, while hearing a brief talk from community leaders on the positive effects of art on both community and well-being. The guest speakers will include Ladysmith Gallery manager Francesca Reside, Cowichan Valley Arts Council president Elizabeth Croft, Kindness Tree Art's Donna Draper as well as a Mental Health nurse and Master Facilitator of Expressive Arts.
Private and group viewings can be arranged through arts@cvrd.bc.ca. Find out more information on the CPAC calendar at www.cowichanpac.ca.
"I hope that viewers take away three important things from this show: first, the recognition that resilience comes in many forms," said Stephenson. "Second that art helps with the recollection of what we're capable of, and third that there are organizations in our area that work daily to advocate for the importance of accessible, community art. We have five incredible arts councils that provide essential community services that improve well-being and enhance the livability of our neighbourhoods and this group art exhibition displays the importance of their work, and showcases the talent of their artist memberships."