We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful late-summer day for the “Art Show on State” in Springfield on August 31!
The well-attended event featured arts and crafts for sale by participants in CHD’s Psychiatric Day Treatment and Adult Community and Clinical Services (ACCS) programs, as well as a food truck, beverages, resource booths, a talent show, and the grand opening of The Bistro at State, an initiative from ACCS program leadership to provide individuals we serve the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. The Bistro at State will be open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
The idea of an art show originated in CHD’s Psychiatric Day Treatment program, where staff decided to provide a platform for participants to display their craft and “show their emotions through art,” according to Psychiatric Day Treatment Program Manager Ed Cruz Candelaria.
Jim Stokes-Buckles, program director of CHD’s Adult Mental Health Springfield, said artistic expression is a great way for participants to process their emotions and builds self-esteem. “Being able to see your art appreciated and valued certainly boosts your own confidence, strengths, and abilities,” he said. “This show is a win-win.”
Molly Clifford, a participant in ACCS-Holyoke, said that she had been painting since she was three years old. “Making art is very therapeutic,” she said. “When I’m learning about things that I’ve gone through in the past, I’ll draw a picture of how it feels to me.”
