My artwork are reflections and reminders of my recovery journey from darkness into the light.
Author: Brian Belt
Founder/Director of ARTLife717 (aka) The Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery INC
Road to Recovery
My Recovery begins to take shape
So, after a series of near fatal setbacks as to my mental health status, I reconciled to move into a community residence for people diagnosed with serious mental health disorders outside Boston, Mass in 2009. It is here where I slowly cleared my head a bit and connected with others that had serious mental health issues. I be-friended an older woman by the name of Melinda, and I was able to share some of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the past. I felt comfortable sharing with her because she likewise shared some of her difficulties over the years dealing with a clinical depression diagnosis. By sharing honestly with someone else who didn’t look down on me for my past or present psychiatric problems, I felt a sense of ease and anxiety relief that I hadn’t experienced before. I was able to stay at this community residence for several months until I was given an opportunity to move into another community residence closer to Hudson, NY. And although, I can’t say the first community residence I lived in offered much in the way of teaching behavioral skills to help manage my problematic thought process, it did offer me a chance to sober up enough and connect with others that had serious mental health problems in a REAL way without feeling shamed for my diagnoses. After staying at this community residence for some months, I moved on to the other community residence closer to Hudson, NY. The community residence here was called the Hearth and it was here that my recovery really took off in a positive direction.
While living at the Hearth I was afforded all the amenities that the previous community residence had such as meals, a place to sleep and relax, proper meds, caring staff, and other community members that also had serious mental health struggles that I could feel free to connect with. In addition, we were introduced to “Recovery Classes” that were sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Columbia/Greene Counties New York. I was blessed in that my first teacher was a Peer Specialist who achieved advanced recovery from a clinical depression diagnosis utilizing various recovery skills that he learned through an accredited training program. This first recovery teacher by the name Don, not only inspired me to advance my recovery level but he was able to relay the basic concepts of recovery in such a way that it resonated within me to the point I began to really snap out of being a victim of my psychiatric symptoms and instead become a master of them. I must also say that a primary reason I was able to succeed under the direction of my first teacher is that he was a “peer” in that he had lived experience as someone that struggled and overcame severe mental health problems. And though, our diagnoses were different from each other the recovery principles that he spelled out that became a foundation for my recovery were the same. After roughly a year under the stewardship of the Hearth and the initial recovery classes I took, the program evolved into what is called the PROS program or Personalized Recovery Oriented Services that offered multiple mental health recovery and support classes for those diagnosed with serious mental health disorders. And it was roughly the year 2012 that I was given the opportunity to live in a supported housing situation wherein I was given an apartment while being supervised and continuing my recovery education at PROS. This latest move sparked my recovery level towards heights myself or anyone else could not have imagined.
Overtime, I advanced my recovery skills through the PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) program and not only graduated from this mental health program but began teaching classes that I designed and developed as a volunteer. Eventually, I accrued enough teaching and online education hours to become a Fully certified peer specialist in the mental health field through OMH of New York State. As well, I began a support group at the Columbia Memorial Psych Unit where I had been involuntarily hospitalized several times to reach out to other peers and encourage them to make steps towards recovery.
Throughout my recovery journey, I gave several public presentations for NAMI of Columbia County that spoke on a variety of recovery topics. NAMI of Columbia County helped my mother gain insight and provided emotional support for her during my mental health struggles over the years. But my most recent project was the development of the Mental Health Awareness gallery. It started out as a pipe dream of sorts. I had been active in the mental health recovery field for so many years and it dawned on me that it would be a great idea to draw on all the personal recovery connections I had made over time and begin the process of assembling artists and creative people in recovery from serious mental health problems and publicly showcase their artwork in an effort to eliminate stigma and activate a new understanding and perspective of those people that experience mental health problems within the surrounding community. Overtime, with the help of many others I slowly pieced together what was to become the nonprofit Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery. Since its inception, our growing team of artists put together 4 successful public exhibitions in the heart of Hudson, NY. We continued to attract public attention day by day and finally accrued enough funding to open a permanent gallery space in Hudson wherein our artists are now able to consistently showcase their artwork and educate others as to the therapeutic benefits of art/creative work in recovery.
Artwork by Diane Brackett
The aim of my work is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but to have an inward experience of peace and calm. While working, I entertain memories of my aunt and grandmother who taught me so much in life and who, incidentally, also had agoraphobia. While working on art, my mind stops the cycle of anxious, negative thoughts and brooding and focuses more on the beautiful thing I may be able to create.
BE PRESENT.
Mental Health Resource Links
Mental Health Resource Links
Below are some helpful links for friends, family members, or those people that experience serious mental health problems.
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Open in new tab https://socalmentalhealth.com/childhood-trauma/
ADDICTION RECOVERY DURING HIGHER EDUCATION
https://www.intelligent.com/substance-abuse-recovery-support-guide-for-college-students/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.home
Metal artwork by Bennett Karas
Hi, I’m Bennett Karas. I work in metal to create chainmaille, jewelry, sculpture and other unique handmade items, inspired and informed by medieval arms and armor. My chainmaille is typically made of stainless steel, titanium or bronze, and in other alloys on request. I use a variety of weaves including Byzantine, European and Japanese variants.
My sculptures are constructed of wrought iron and steel, using both self-made and found objects. The metal is welded, tapered, planished, riveted and tempered to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
To view more of Bennett’s artwork, go to his website at https://bksmithing.com/
Brian continues his blog on the topic of “self-medication”
A long list of setbacks while in the throes of “self-medicative behavior” to alleviate my disturbed thought process and a first move towards a recovery environment
So, after I finally confided details of my thought process and traumatic memories with my counselor, I was given the diagnoses of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. And no, I wasn’t placed involuntarily into a psychiatric ward for the rest of my life. I was however still Far from being “well”. Although, I communicated my thoughts to a counselor, I still felt isolated and clueless as to what to do with my life. My only thoughts of taking any life action at the time was to figure out how to get out of living with my mother and ways to reconnect with my son who had not been murdered by terrorists as I learned. But the dominant feature of my thought process was still what most would call delusionary and paranoid and, in the world, as I knew it then, there was no social outlet to share my thoughts and feelings without the fear of public rebuke. There was no safe support network in “coming out” as a young man with a schizophrenia diagnosis. This fear extended into “support” groups I attended at the time including AA- So without a support system that I could trust I fell back to what “worked” for my distressed mental state at the time. Drink quick – Blackout…. And this behavior would lead to a series of major setbacks in my physical and mental health at the time.
Since my memory for a good period during this dark phase of my life is poor or lacking, I thought to share a timeline my mother put together as to the jagged mental health / substance abuse journey I took over the years.
Timeline: prepared November 19, 2008
First rehab – Westchester County after coming home from Pomona College in California
During the next 17 years Brian lived with girlfriend in Washington DC, relapsed, lived in Switzerland, relapsed, was married (Tennessee) and had a son (California). His son is now 14 years old. After the divorce in 2003 Brian seemed to be somewhat homeless with another girlfriend (she had mental problems).
May 2004 – Brian was admitted to Suan Prung Neuro Hospital in Thailand
June 2004 – Brian’s father, Gordon Belt, went to Thailand to bring him home – through ex-wife, girlfriend, acquaintances , and legal authorities we were advised that he could not come home alone and that someone had to come get him. The embassy helped. Alcohol and drugs – at dangerous levels. relapse
June 2004 – Returned to Copake, first his father’s house and then mine – he left for Canada (girlfriend there) and was rejected at the border.
July 2004 – got a job at Simons Rock, Great Barrington, Ma.
Aug 4, 2004 – met girlfriend in St. Albans returned to work
Oct. 10,2004 – went to Canada
Oct. 22, 2004 – brought girlfriend home
Oct. 23, 2004 – left with girlfriend for Washington State
Oct. 24, 2004 – in North Dakota
Oct. 26, 2004 – in Kittle Falls, Washington
Oct. 28, 2004 – Bellingham, Washington
Nov. 9, 2004 – girlfriend calls to say Brian needs counseling, send $300 the money was sent to her. Brian left her.
Nov. 16, 2004 – girlfriend called for help – AA member went to see Brian. – Relapse
Nov. 19, 2004 – called to say he and the girlfriend were moving to Eugene, Oregon
Dec. 1, 2004 – they are renting a trailer at the Church of Christ
Essene
Dec. 29, 2004 — Brian is in jail in Weaversville, NC. – drinking, destruction in a grocery store. relapse
Jan. 2005 – Brian and girlfriend are living in Mars Hill, NC.
May 2, 2005 – I sent $105 for Brian to live in a Hostel in Asheville
May 27, 2005 – Brian was beaten, kicked out of hostel and went to ex-wife’s home. I sent her $200 and she put him on a bus to Kingston, NY. I picked him up there and took him to the Albany Med Psych crisis – Dr. D.
Brian was transferred to Columbia Memorial.- relapse
June 13, 2005 – Brian has appointment with counselor at the Mental Health Center in Hudson, NY
June 14, 2005 – he has appt with Dr. T at Albany Med for testing
July11, 2005 – appt. at Twin Counties Hudson
Aug. 2, 2005 – appt. with psychiatrist.
Aug. 30, 2005 – Brian went to Chinese Embassy in NYC to get a visa
Sept. 1, 2005 – he flew to Taicang, China for a job teaching English ( he located the work on the internet and they paid for him to go)
Dec. 5, 2005 –my call to Brian in China found him drunk or something — relapse
Dec. 6, 2005, The employer in China arranged to have Brian flown to Los Angeles
Dec. 16, 2005 – I emailed a ticket to fly home from San Francisco after Brian was released from jail – public drunkenness.
Dec. 21, 2005 – started AA Wed, Fri, and Sun.
Dec. 22, 2005 – Counselor
Dec. 28, 2005 – Psychiatrist
Jan. 2006 – Counselor/Psychiatrist/AA
May 12, 2006 – Brian got a part job with Stage Works in Hudson.
May 16, 2006 – relapse –at Stage Works – Police took him to ER
July 24, 2006 – Brian started a bike ride from Virginia to Asheville, NC
Sept. 3, 2006 – relapse
Sept. 4, 2006 – came home
Sept 20, 2006 – Brian went to Asheville to visit his son.
Nov. 7, 2006 – Brian hospitalized in Pottsville, Pa – alcohol, psychotic, Dr. U. — relapse
Nov. 12, 2006 – he was discharged to come home. I picked him up.
Jan. 9,2007 – while I was in Zimbabwe, Brian packed up and left for North Carolina.
Jan 12, 2007 – Brian calls family member to say he plans to stay in Asheville for 2 weeks.
Jan. 23, 2007 – Brian asks for Librium order in Asheville. He said he sees a counselor in Asheville
Feb. 5, 2007 – Brian calls from Motel 6 in Mobile, Alabama and says he is on his way to Julian, California.
Feb. 11, 2007 –Brian is at a hostel in Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 2, 2007 – relapse in Albuquerque. I sent an email airline ticket home
Feb. 15, 2008 – I posted $5,000 (per public defender’s suggestion) for Brian to leave Columbia County Jail. The charge was drunken driving and possession of marijuana.
The felony charge was later reduced to misdemeanor.
May 3, 2008 – Brian had a grand mal seizure here at home I called 911, he was airlifted to Albany Med
Sept. 16, 2008 – Public defender agreed to end the case with some provisions. Brian’s driver’s license was suspended for 6 months, and he completed the assignment at Twin Counties and continued with counseling and group meetings.
Nov. 5, 2008 – Nurse Rose called from Mental Health Center after Brian was in his group meeting – she said Brian’s B/P was sky high and that I should take him to the ER.
Blood alcohol was very high also. Relapse He was discharged Nov. 6.
Nov. 13, 2008 – I called Brian’s counselor to say Brian looked and acted drunk and talked “off” – he said take him to ER if he does not improve in a few hours. His sister, Leslie, came after her work. She observed same problem and we both talked to his counselor as we could not get Brian to go to ER with us. Counselor arranged for police to escort Brian to ER – Columbia Memorial.
The results were very high blood alcohol and B/P. Leslie found the near empty liter of rum under the bath towels in the bathroom cabinet. Relapse.
Nov. 19,2008 – Brian is a patient on 5th floor psych lock up at Columbia Memorial Hospital – he is advised to go to rehab but says he plans to go to St. Augustine, Florida in a couple months.
WHAT NOW?????? Alice Belt – mother
PS somewhere in this I missed another 911 call after the basement was trashed and the drunken/psychotic behavior caused an ambulance transport to the ER and then a transfer to psyche lock up in Harrison, NY. After a few days he was released to home.
And yes, it would be time and time again that I would be jailed for some public drunkenness offense and placed back involuntarily into psych ward after psych ward. I got to the point of not really caring about anyone or anything at all except the booze to wipe out my thoughts. I did get some disability income that kept me afloat even though I have no memory of applying for disability. Perhaps, my counselor filed paperwork with me at some point knowing I was unable to carry out any sort of steady employment due to my problems.
It was then in the summer of 2010 that I had a sit-down discussion with my mom as to what to do with my life. After the countless series of relapses and hospitalizations, I was no longer allowed to live with her due to my erratic and self-destructive behavior.
Undeniably, my mother was at her wits end as to what to do- What I remember is she calmly spoke to me on a summer day in 2010 and said to me we need to come up with a plan- either we plan for you moving into a community residence to recover from what is bothering you or we need to plan for your funeral. Her honesty and desperation sunk in to my emotional being and I agreed to move into a community residence. I took this next essential step in my recovery process not for myself but because I could feel the pain my mother was going through, and I didn’t want her to suffer. So, I packed up my gear yet again but this time for a community residence outside Boston, Mass that had other residents living there with serious mental health diagnoses. It is here where my Recovery journey began to take shape.
Video Art
Art Postcards by various artists on our team
Artwork by Robert Hill
Brian Belt personal blog continued
a solemn surrender
I begin to speak the truth on my mental reality state
Upon returning to the states after experiencing my first major psychotic break, I was pressured by both my parents to speak with a psychiatric counselor. I did so but only Very reluctantly- At the time, I believe I was being fed a strong daily cocktail of antipsychotic medication that slowed my thought process but did not eliminate the dark thoughts and memories that were now an embedded feature of my new “reality”. I should emphasize that my mental state upon leaving Thailand was very broken. Although, I did not speak on my thoughts- the truth is I only agreed to go back with my dad because I thought he was a secret government agent that would explain this altered reality on the plane ride back. If I didn’t hold this belief at the time, I would have surely fled back into the jungles of Thailand to be missing forever… It was only after weeks of searching with help of a Thailand private investigation company did my family even learn where I was physically and then were able to alert my dad to fly to Thailand and connect with me. Interestingly, I was able to communicate with the Thai Private investigation team that tracked me down years later while at an advanced recovery stage and they wrote a brief blog on their website as to my plight listed under case studies.
https://thailandpi.com/thailand-people-finder-son-drugs.html
But getting back to the issue of my reluctance to share my personal thoughts with a counselor after being fetched from Thailand and moved to upstate New York is that I was terrified I would be placed in a psychiatric hospital indefinitely if I spoke my truth. So, I heeded my parents’ advice and went to counseling sessions but said nothing of my present mental state. I would speak on older memories that were difficult- the loss of a friend to a heroin overdose, my failed marriage, and other topics that I was ok sharing knowing they wouldn’t be thought of as Too strange, but I Never spoke on my changed reality state and the thoughts associated with this mammoth shift in my reality state.
Since I fully believed I would be locked up forever in a psychiatric hospital if I disclosed my thoughts, I secretly began the process of trying to figure out how to get out of my current situation at that time which was living with my mother and doing odd end jobs to make a few bucks here and there. It was then I came across an ad on the internet looking for English teacher to teach in China- no need to speak Chinese. I pulled together my school credentials and applied online upon which I was accepted- but I had no money to pay for a flight. I relayed the information to the Chinese teaching group that hired me, and they offered me a free flight I only had to show up at JFK airport on the right day time and I would be on my way to China to teach English. Of course, once I told the news to my mother, she was alarmed but she was powerless. I did what I did and off I went to China to teach English in an industrial town outside of Shanghai without knowing a bit about China- language, culture, nothing….
Of course, my first instinct once I got the green light and free flight to China was to quit all my meds and go it on my own and my preferred method to handle my disturbed thought process then was to drink it away. And drink I did – almost a full liter of Scotch from the duty-free zone while I was on the long plane ride to China that almost led the flight crew to turn the plane back to the states due to a passenger (myself) being severely intoxicated- Somehow, I did sober up enough before landing and met up with the Chinese man who recruited me- his first remark was he could smell alcohol but we continued to drive on to a sprawling Chinese city where I was to begin my teaching career. I was given keys to an apartment and instructions to meet up at a Chinese elementary school to begin teaching my classes. To say I was clueless now living in a foreign country coupled with a warped personal sense of reality is a huge understatement, but I muddled through the next few months making up classes ad lib and drinking away my nights until the English recruiter finally had enough of me and said leave. I was given a free flight back to the states and soon found myself in jail for public drunkenness and in desperate need of help. I called my mom and she helped me back to live with her under the condition I return to counseling. I did. As well, I began the process of communicating my real thought process to my counselor at the time. This gradual confession led to my current clinical diagnoses of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. I wasn’t committed to a long-term psychiatric facility after these findings, so I was happy about that, but it was only the first step in my recovery. A recovery that would begin with a series of major setbacks.
Photography art by Jordan Thomas
Photography art by Jordan Thomas
Creativity has been crucial to my well-being. When I’m manic I’m able to channel my racing thoughts and flight of ideas into my art and turn a negative into a positive. I also suffer from crippling depression at times which makes it impossible to do much of anything, but I’m proud of the work that I’ve been able to create despite my challenges.
My process begins with my camera, out in nature. When photographing I look for interesting shapes and strong images
This search is a distraction from my suffering and brings me peace. I then alter my images, using Photoshop. I intensify the colors and try to make the finished work even more profound. It makes me feel powerful to be able to alter the images to my own vision.
Artwork by Kristen Oles
Artwork by Kristen Oles
My name is Kristen Oles and have dealt with the struggles of dealing with Mental Health (Bipolar, anxiety) for over 27 years. One thing that has been extremely therapeutic from the beginning is making art. It’s very easy to start things, but sometimes it’s extremely difficult to finish and feel self-satisfied. There has been many times in my life, I have never been able to finish things and I’m very grateful the past few years to be starting and finishing things.
Artwork by Anja Eide
Artwork by Anja Eide
I have suffered from both serious medical and mental health issues since 1995, but I continue with my recovery efforts one day at a time. My recovery is most special to me because I have become closer to my children, and I am close to my 4-year-old granddaughter. As well, I am a artist that teaches collage making techniques to others in the mental health programs in Columbia County and at the public Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery.
YouTube Videos
YouTube Videos
Clips from past presentations at Camphill Solaris
The Connection between Mental Illness and Creativity
Richard Fuertes with “Colors”
Manhattan Gallery- Our artist’s work in video/book rendition
Funny mental health book jackets by Jesse Sanchez
Connecting Ground interview
Michael Weitzman with “The Three Amigos”
Wake up call with Ed and Paul
Following the Yellow Brick Road: The Steps and Obstacles to achieving REAL Recovery from serious mental health diagnoses
Set to the backdrop theme of the Wizard of Oz, Danielle Reiff, speaks on her recovery from bipolar disorder. This video was originally presented for the public at the Hudson Opera house for a NAMI educational event in the year 2015.
New Age Abstractions
Artwork by Sean Springer
Highlights from our One-Year Anniversary
Michael Weitzman’s on You-Tube
Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Family,
Below is my Latest Workshop/Presentation Seminar called: THE 3 AMIGOS OF MENTAL HEALTH for
the Girl Scouts, Juniors, and Brownies on March 6th 2022 where I Educate, Motivate, Inspire, Use Humor,
Help, and be a RELATABLE Resource by using All of my PASSION in Speaking and Performing about
Mental Health and so much more and by being very Interactive, Engaging, and talking about tough and
sensitive Words and Subjects in a very Enjoyable and FUN way to Learn! Please Enjoy!
Brian Belt Recovery Story
You Tube Clips compliments of Adam Hoyt
Local Shots From Around the World Part 1
Local Shots From Around the World Part 2
Hope Rocks Live Performance 2017
Voices of Recovery 2014
Voices of Recovery 2017
Michael Weitzman
Loki Anthony: Behind the Design Episode 1
Create a Book class reception
Jesse Sanchez
Esteban Ganem’s recital in support of our gallery
Thanks to Esteban Ganem, a percussionist attending Bard Conservatory of Music, I was able to speak on the Mental Health Awareness Gallery shortly before his solo rendition of Christopher Cerrone’s musical score- “Memory Palace”. Esteban performed his recital in support of our gallery and its vision. My speech on recovery and the formation of our gallery begins at time segment 1 hour 19 minutes on the You-Tube clip followed by his solo rendition of “Memory Palace”. So please listen to the full recital and hear my speech related to our gallery and our team of artists in recovery from serious mental health conditions. Esteban is a gifted percussionist who has a bright future ahead of him in the music industry. So please turn the volume up to listen and enjoy this captivating musical experience.
Artwork by James Oliver Huff
Art has played a very important part in my recovery journey with my mental state, which is what I’d really like to share. Mental health awareness is a topic that is talked about more now than ever before. I like to think of myself as a mental health advocate, because I’ve lived with my mental health issues most of my adult life. I feel like more needs to be done in access to treatment and help for those struggling with serious mental illnesses, I know from experience how some with mental health issues may feel reluctant to seek out help because of the fear and stigma associated with mental illness, but I also know how difficult it can be to find help sometimes when one may need help. I guess in short, what I am trying to say is that I would like to see a little less talk and more mental health reform before we become polarized about mental health problems.
I have been doing some soul searching today and thinking about some of my paintings and what they mean to me. Many of them are creations from within expressing my love for beauty, and others reveal the darker side of life I have struggled with for years, the painting titled utter madness is the one that I would like talk about. I just smeared the paint on the canvas trying to find some beauty and you can see the end result, so I originally titled it mania but over time I realized I am not sure if I ever experienced mania I don’t even know what mania looks like. I have experienced euphoria a couple of times though, so then I decided to call the painting escape because I seen a little black demand that appeared to be running away at the top of the painting. I signed and dated it each time I changed the title, but I didn’t like that title over time because it made me feel that I was trying to escape from reality, so I finally titled it utter madness and then put my thumb print on the back.
NEWS
Artist’s style is ever-evolving
Jennifer L. Manfrin
Correspondent
COSHOCTON – If you’d like to experience abstract paintings composed with the artist’s unique expression of vivid colors and intricate lines, you don’t have to go to a gallery in a big city. Throughout the month of April, the artwork of area artist Jim Huff will be on display at the West Lafayette Branch Library.
Huff’s paintings are in oil on canva and, though there is a landscape in the exhibit that includes 10 pieces, most are abstracts with unique plays on color and line.
Huff, who was born and raised in Coshocton County, was first inspired to paint when he was in elementary school in
Bakersville. He picked up painting again later in life, and enjoys it as a source of relaxation. It’s an effect that makes him feel as if “the cares of life roll away,” and the act of creating his artwork has a “therapeutic effect and encourages a feeling of peace of mind.”
In addition to teaching himself various techniques, Huff also honed his talent with the help of art instructor Twila Christner at the Tuscarawas Center for the Arts. He took classes on the basics of composition and painting in oils. He said his artistic style is ever-evolving.
Huff said he is also inspired by the many talented artists in the area, and is happy to have his art on exhibit at the West Lafayette Branch Library.
“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to display my art along with the other talented artists in this series,” Huff said.
Branch manager Andrea Schweitzer Smith agreed.
“The branch library is fortunate to coordinate with talented, local artists to provide rotating, monthly exhibits of their original works,” said Smith, who has been coordinating the art exhibits at the library for about 10 years. “Art media are varied from watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastels, ink, pencil, wood and photography.”
And just as Huff’s artistic endeavors are therapeutic for him, Smith said art has a similar effect on the visitors.
“Exhibiting artwork at the West Lafayette Branch Library is a creative way for the library to contribute to its vision of providing lifelong learning opportunities for the community. Viewing art can also positively impact your health and well-being in boo
sting critical thinking skills and creativity, while lowering stress and anxiety,” she said.
ARTS
Local artists spotlighted at Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts
Staff Writer
The Times-Reporter
A gallery reception for the 14th annual Mid Summer’s Night Art Affair will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts, 461 Robinson Drive, SE. The show will highlight recent works in a variety of media and styles created by invited artists with a Tuscarawas County connection. Doug Huston will provide piano music for the evening and refreshments will be served.
Artists participating in this year’s event are:
Jeff Beitzel, Jane Brown, Susan Cramer Stein, Anthony Contini, Sherry Crilow, Sarah Dugger, Aubrey Gealsha, Mallory Gerstacker, Charles Graham, Betty Gribble, Hillary Hendricks, Jackie Holan, Kim Hohlmayer, Kiyoe Howald, James Oliver Huff, Catherine Kendrick, Bill Koch, Jordan Lewis, Skip Limbach, Nancy McDonald, Jasmine Mills, Vivian Mosley, Barbara Palmer, Kathleen Riley, Bill Shryock, Peggy Sibila, Stephanie Speedy, Joyce Stahl, Ginny Stocker, Jon Stucky, Yan Sun, Kyle Valentini, Don Weisgarber and Hong Yin.
Artwork by Liz Ortiz
Artwork by Liz Ortiz
Making Art is meditative for me. I paint to invoke strength and calmness into my life. That’s the reason why my Art is full of flowing lines and color, just like our lives.
Contact e-mail
You can contact the founder and director of the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery Inc., Brian Gordon Belt, at
namaskar47@hotmail.com
Find us on Facebook/meta
Find us on Google Maps
Artwork by William Doan
I’m a visual and performing artist who lives with anxiety and depression. My drawings, performances, and animated shorts spring from that fundamental truth. I make art to build resilience. Drawing as a form of meditation is part of my daily practice. Four years ago, I started My Anxiety Project, launching the first series of drawings and performances at Dixon Place Theatre in NYC. I work primarily in ink, watercolor, and charcoal.
Artwork by Jesse Sanchez
and its making on You-Tube
My art is an expression of who I am. My experience with mental healing and my pursuit of wellness feeds my body, mind, and soul, and thereby my art. Acceptance and encouragement make me happy. Conversely, being judged and criticized does harm. This piece ‘Mysterious Woods’ speaks of the mystery of life. Changes happen in multiple and simultaneous ways to all of us. I show multiple views of this tree scene to express my sense of a fractured but universal world view. This kind of serenity is what we can all feel regardless of our problems, disabilities, or psychological and emotional disposition. What we have in common is stronger than what divides us. Spending time in nature brings us to the awareness of our common humanity. Perhaps the joy I feel in creating my artwork can bring a sense of peace and loving commonality to the world.
To view more of Jesse’s artwork just click on the link below
https://www.jsanchezart.com/illustration-c1gwl
and for a lil artwork in action check out Jesse’s making of ‘Chaotic Balance’
For added insight into Jesse’s work go to his website at
or
https://cognitivealley.myportfolio.com/home
or
https://mailchi.mp/jsanchezart.com/illustrationandesign
or
https://peerstearsandpages.myportfolio.com/
Below is a video Jesse created that showcase his panel designs on exhibit at the New Rochelle Public Library for Black History Month. ‘Tracing Our Roots: New Rochelle’s Black History’ runs through March 4, 2023. Jesse gives thanks to City Historian Barbara Davis and NRCA for the opportunity.
Hodge podge of gif animations
Brian Belt personal blog
“Self-medication”
Brian shares on his experience of “Self-Medication” as it relates to his schizophrenia and substance use disorder diagnoses.
As many people in the mental health community are aware, there is a positive correlation between substance abuse issues and neurodiverse/mental health conditions. Many people with mental health diagnoses ranging from depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia commonly go through periods where they abuse substances whether it be alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or other inebriants to manage or quell the distressing thoughts, feelings, emotions associated with their mental health symptoms. In the field of psychiatry, this conduct falls under a theory of addiction called “self-medication”. In essence, the substance abuse problems stem from a need to ease their psychological suffering. And although this theory of addiction is complicated by the fact that there are often neurological changes due to the abuse of substances, the primary aim of the “addict” is to alleviate their psychiatric symptoms. SAMSHA or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration names this correlation between substance abuse and mental health problems as a co-occurring disorder.
As a person diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, I’m no stranger to this phenomenon. Although I “partied” as a young man throughout college and my twenties, this behavior was in stark contrast to the self-medicative behavior that I began after my first major psychotic break in the year 2004 at age 39. As a young man, I drank and experimented with different drugs to experience a “high”. That is, alcohol and drugs served to improve my mood and eliminate personal insecurities and though I did drink excessively throughout my youth it was mainly because I lacked good self-esteem and I feared socializing with others. Alcohol or drugs in some cases alleviated this feeling of social anxiety in my younger years and gave me a feeling of personal power and invincibility. While under the influence of alcohol, I felt self-confident and able to pursue my dreams. Of course, the act of drinking to excess did result in serious consequences during this period in the form of dui arrests and other types of reckless behavior. I would go to rehab a couple times to help manage these problems associated with alcohol abuse and it helped in my earlier years. However, this drinking behavior differed vastly from the “self-medicative” type associated with my severe psychiatric issues that erupted in 2004.
In 2004, while traveling in Thailand I experienced my first major psychotic event. I believed my son and ex-wife had been murdered by terrorists and I had a complete nervous breakdown. After this emotional breakdown, my previous reality state vanished. I no longer knew who I was nor where I was as my mental state was suddenly saturated with delusionary thinking and total paradoxes as to the nature of reality. It was at this point that I drank to wipe out my thoughts entirely instead of trying to improve my mood. I ceased to drink for pleasure and instead drank vast amounts of alcohol quickly to escape my thoughts. On average I would drink the equivalent of 20-30 drinks early in the day to the point of blacking out. I continued this blackout drinking behavior for several years and during these years I would end up in more and more trouble since I would act out psychotically while in the throes of these blackout states. And although I managed to move from place to place, be it California, New York, China, the south, or other places, the result was the same. I would be either put in jail for public drunkenness and/or placed involuntarily into a psychiatric ward. This became a chronic pattern of behavior, and this period is well documented through e-mails my mother saved over these years describing one relapse and hospitalization after the next.
And one may wonder why after so many hospitalizations I couldn’t improve my mental state given the fact I was afforded aftercare psychiatric counseling and a daily regime anti-psychotic medication. The answer as many chronic psychiatric cases is not simple due to the clutter of varied circumstances both internal (personal) and external (the social environment). A clear factor, however, in my case and many others that experience serious mental health problems is social stigma as it relates to these aberrations of the “norm”. I will speak more on the topic of stigma as it relates to my personal mental health story for my next blog.
Happy 87 !!!
I just want to wish my mom a Happy 87 today !!! She not only gave me life but was able to see me Live again… So, kudos to you mom on this special day of yours !
Artwork by Karl Ferber
Artwork by John Ohl
Artwork by Jessica Banx from Mobile, Alabama
Hello all.
Simply put, Art has saved my life in a multi-faceted manner.
I’ve been dealing with mental health problems for practically my whole life and was hospitalized three times along my journey to wellness. Unfortunately, my instability, from either having no medication or incorrect medication led to using hard drugs, jail time, and lifelong repercussions. For years, I rebuked, hid, and attempted to eradicate these “unsavory” parts of myself…
I began making art again about 3.5 months ago, and shortly was diagnosed as having Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type. I now have the correct medication to help my brain function as it’s supposed to.
I now have over 100 paintings, and find any creative outlet becomes therapy, whether it be art, music, writing acting, has the complete potential to become therapy and heal the brain… As well as hearts.
My neurodivergent brain led to an unconventional life, but I finally know who I am, and I have Art to thank for unlocking what I thought was lost.
It’s incredible to feel joy again.
“Path of Least Resistance”
It’s often difficult to find the right road to continue, or even start your way to stability, when the path shifts and hides, camouflaged by cluttered chaos in the mind.
By venting through art, I can oust these confining thoughts onto canvas.
The most rewarding part of Art?
The process of creating is therapy for me.
The end result is therapy for others.
“Despair” & “Loneliness”
Mixed media on 11x14in canvases
Artwork by Chris Lannes
Artwork by Reuven Wallack
General Attitude Towards the Evolution of my Art: From Start to Present
It’s funny. In some ways I’ve made a complete circle regarding my attitude towards creating art. Back in 1998 when I first started painting, my interest in psychoanalysis led me to paint quite quickly and then analyze and find unconscious imagery that came out of the deep recesses of my mind. Now over 20 years later, my newest work which I believe to be my best yet falls along similar lines. They consist mostly of color pencil drawings. While doing this work, I don’t think. That’s right…I don’t think. Well for the most part, I don’t. Sometimes I pause and think about compositional matters or specific color choice or most overall when there is a specific object to be drawn. But other than these fleeting matters, I’m drawing from as near I can from the unconscious. No decisions, no thought, just where the pencil takes me. This I find to be extremely liberating and produces work which many times turns out to be quite complex, but I’m producing them in auto-drive like the cars of the future.
Artwork by Raheem Taylor
Artwork by Nic Freberg Morgan
I create drawings on rice paper using ink, beginning with a hand-drawn, imperfect grid that establishes a subtle rhythm across the surface. Within this grid, I explore intuitive yet structured geometries, balancing the tension between order and organic variation. My practice is guided by a fascination with the beauty of imperfection—a quality that emerges from the human hand and cannot be fully replicated by digital precision.
My work is influenced by ancient ruins, where patterns of decay and erosion reveal a deeper harmony; by Native American textiles, whose handwoven structures carry both mathematical rigor and tactile warmth; and by the concept of algorithmic iteration, which mirrors the meditative repetition of my process. Simple rectangles or more complex, irregular polygons unfold across the grid, their asymmetries creating a quiet dimensionality. This approach allows me to find resonance between tradition and contemporary abstraction, weaving together intuition, structure, and the subtle presence of time.
Ultimately, my drawings exist as a conversation between human gesture and geometric logic, celebrating both the imperfections and the contemplative rhythms that emerge through attentive, hand-driven practice.
Artwork by Gina Casher
Artwork by Susan Spangenberg
“My goal in my work, as well as my life, is to heal myself and save the animals and the planet in order to find spirituality through nature.”
Susan Spangenberg (NYC, USA) started creating at the age of three. She is an untrained self-taught outsider artist. She prefers to create alone, in self-isolation. She uses art to cope with the symptoms of her trauma and mental illness. Susan believes in the power of transcendence through the arts, honoring the process more than the presentation.
Coming from a severely dysfunctional family which led to group homes and institutionalization in her teenage years, Susan cut her outsider artist teeth at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center’s renown ‘Living Museum’ art rehabilitation program. She was in the vanguard of the ‘Girl, interrupted’ female asylum artist wave that has in twenty years become the new normal, yet Susan has maintained the raw essence of that genre imbued with a twenty-first century sensibility.
Susan likes to incorporate text and writing into her art, including messages from her late twin brother Robert. There are also elements of spiritual symbolism from her East Indian ancestry, samples of her psychotropic medication and hand sewn fabric throughout her work. In her Spiritual Fabric Octopus Series, Susan substitutes the octopus for the Hindu Gods as well as Christ. She works in small and large-scale format encompassing textile, mixed media, painting and body prints. Susan never knows what she will work on next. She goes wherever her mood takes her.
“In my Spiritual Environmental Fabric Octopus Series, I substitute the octopus for the Hindu Gods as well as Christ. I started this work after a vision/hallucination of an octopus being crucified. Later on, I dreamed of the Hindu God Ganesh as an octopus. The hand sewn elements is a throwback to my childhood, taking my life back from my abusive mother, who refused to let me sew or be creative. Was it a symptom of my mental illness or was it salvation from God?…”
Ongoing Spiritual Environmental ‘Octopus Art Series’ is a mixed media art series of acrylic, marker, ink, with hand sewn tie dye fabric and button eyed octopus on canvas, unstretched canvas and fabric. Most of this series is done on 14″ x 14″ squared uniform canvas.
Susan Spangenberg is a member artist with the Living Museum and Fountain House gallery in NYC.
Stamp carving by Edlynn Trinity Bindler
Fashion Art/Design by Loki Anthony
Loki is 47 years old, has been married for 23 years and is a father of 3. He is also a professional Artist, Designer, and Barber. As an Artist & Designer, Loki has supported many nonprofit organizations over the years through his fashion and art experience- either by being involved with charity fashion shows, fundraiser auction events, or live art performances.
As a Barber, he has connected with a wide range of community members throughout the Hudson Valley and encouraged them to use their haircut experience as a step towards better self-care.
As a Veteran of the USAF, Loki has experienced the trauma from tragic moments in our country’s history such as serving during September 11th attacks. What he has witnessed both as a military member of fellow service members who lost their lives, and as a US citizen who is from NY has left him with a diagnosis of PTSD. Loki can relate to the pain others feel from the loss of loved ones in and out of the military during the attack and subsequent wars- both in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He is also an artist, and his therapy for coping with those experiences is to be as creative as possible on a day-to-day basis. He hopes what he has shared helps other who have had similar experiences.
Loki’s motto and mission is “Love is the Key”. This stands for his passion to spread unconditional and universal love to others through his life’s work. You can view more of Loki’s art and design work at
https://www.instagram.com/lokidesignz/
Photography by Adam Hoyt
Photography & Abstract Graphic Design is something that is both therapeutic and a coping skill for me, it brings me joy when I am out in the world and communing with nature or creating a new design in digital format. I have been working in the artistic field for about five years now, and I really feel pleasure from the feedback that other people give me, and how it feels to be at events, and getting my work out into the world.
Artwork by Andrew Simmons
Stigma Free Art @ 717 Columbia St. Hudson, New York
Our Vision
The Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery (aka) ARTLife717 space has a variety of artwork on display by those people in recovery from serious mental health conditions and serves as recovery and support resource center for the public. This unique gallery space blends artistic work with mental health awareness to eliminate community bias and stigma related to serious mental health diagnoses. As many people know, stigma related to serious mental health diagnoses is a major barrier in seeking recovery-based solutions to mental health problems. Our artists not only prove they are people worthy of positive attention, but they also show others that recovery is achievable and that there is no shame in having a serious mental health diagnosis. At the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery, we transform the hearts and minds of all towards a more Loving Supportive environment as it relates to those diagnosed with serious mental health disorders.
*The Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity
For info, artwork submissions, or a space to share your mental health experience click on the
e-mail link below
https://www.facebook.com/people/Mental-Health-Awareness-and-Creative-Arts-Gallery/100067303042859/
Have you ever wanted to unleash your creativity and express yourself in a fun and relaxing way? If so, you might want to join our collage making class! Collage making is a great activity for mental health and fun socializing. Here are some of the benefits of collage making:
– Collage making can help you reduce stress and anxiety. By focusing on the colors, shapes, and textures of the materials, you can distract yourself from negative thoughts and emotions. You can also use collage making as a form of therapy, by creating images that reflect your feelings and experiences.
– Collage making can boost your self-esteem and confidence. By creating something unique and beautiful, you can feel proud of your achievements and skills. You can also display your collages in your home or office, or share them with others online or in person, to receive positive feedback and appreciation.
– Collage making can enhance your creativity and imagination. By experimenting with different materials, techniques, and themes, you can discover new ways of expressing yourself and communicating your ideas. You can also learn from other collage makers, by observing their styles and methods, or collaborating with them on joint projects.
– Collage making can foster fun socializing and friendship. By joining our collage making class, you can meet new people who share your interests and passions. You can also bond with them over the process of collage making, by exchanging tips, compliments, and stories. You can also participate in events and exhibitions, where you can showcase your collages and network with other artists.
As you can see, collage making is a wonderful hobby that can enrich your life in many ways. So, what are you waiting for? Join our collage making class Fridays and enjoy the benefits of this amazing art form!
Our Vision
The Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery (aka) ARTLife717 space has a variety of artwork on display by those people in recovery from serious mental health conditions and serves as recovery and support resource center for the public. This unique gallery space blends artistic work with mental health awareness to eliminate community bias and stigma related to serious mental health diagnoses. As many people know, stigma related to serious mental health diagnoses is a major barrier in seeking recovery-based solutions to mental health problems. Our artists not only prove they are people worthy of positive attention, but they also show others that recovery is achievable and that there is no shame in having a serious mental health diagnosis. At the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery, we transform the hearts and minds of all towards a more Loving Supportive environment as it relates to those diagnosed with serious mental health disorders.
*The Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity