Meagan Brown, a Winnipeg artist who has ADHD, uses her art to process the stigmas associated with her neurodivergence. Some of her pieces are now displayed in an exhibition at Artbeat Studio. One of her pieces is a comic strip-style piece that represents taking negative self-beliefs and transforming them into self-love. Another piece called Shame Distorts the Self explores negative self-talk and the realization of audibly saying “I hate you” to herself. Through working on these pieces, Brown has experienced revelations about her intrusive thoughts and the power of self-love.
Art therapy is a powerful tool for working through mental health issues, according to Kayla Cardinal, the executive director of Winnipeg Art Therapists. It allows individuals to address deeply buried inner conflicts and express them visually, which can lead to healing. Cardinal emphasizes that art therapy is accessible to everyone, regardless of artistic ability. She encourages utilizing any form of expressive medium to externalize internal struggles and understand them better. Brown also highlights the importance of transferring feelings into physical art as a way to process emotions and experiences. This process can be transformative and healing.
In a time where accessing mental health services can be challenging, art therapy offers a flexible and potentially free option for individuals to explore their emotions and work through their mental health challenges. Cardinal recommends seeking out free art therapy programs locally or virtually to gain more information and support. Artbeat Studio aims to make therapeutic art experiences accessible to all individuals with lived mental health experiences. By providing studio spaces and connections for artists, the studio creates a safe environment for healing and open discussions about mental health.
Artbeat Studio collaborates with organizations like the Victoria Hospital Foundation and hosts free sessions over the summer to engage the community in therapeutic art experiences. Through exhibiting her art with the studio, Meagan Brown hopes to break down shame and stigma surrounding mental health issues. She believes that having conversations and involving more people in art therapy can help reduce stigma and promote mental wellness. By sharing her journey and creating art that reflects her experiences with ADHD and self-acceptance, Brown aims to inspire others to use art as a tool for healing and self-expression. Ultimately, the power of art therapy lies in its ability to facilitate healing, self-awareness, and personal growth for individuals facing mental health challenges.
