Creating freedom through art events

ARTISTS Holly Would and Charlie McLean are inviting the community to explore mental health and healing through creativity.

They have been holding fortnightly workshops at TBH Studio where participants are asked to explore their experiences and express them creatively.

Would was inspired by her own lived experience to start the group sessions.

“I myself use creativity to manage my mental health as I have complex PTSD and art has always been the only thing that made sense in those dark moments,” she said.

“I lost my brother to suicide in 2018 and at that time I was just pumping art out and my actual tears were going into those prints I was doing at the time.”

The workshops have become a space where people are able to feel comfortable and safe.

“We start each session with a little check in to see how everyone is going and they’re able to feel safe,” said Would.

“I’ve seen the quietest, most shy people feel comfortable in this space and I feel so proud of that.

“It’s become this peer support thing as well so the art might have got them here but it’s actually about creating connections.”

Would said art is a great outlet as it allows people to express themselves without judgement.

“With art there are no rules, there’s no competition and you can’t win or lose so there’s this place and freedom to express yourself that you can’t get wrong,” she said.

“If you’re being you and expressing you it’s impossible to get wrong.”

Karter Aver is one of the workshop’s participants and said the events have significantly impacted his life.

“I’ve been able to grow out of my anxious shell, connect with others, improve my artwork and express myself,” he said.

“No one’s going to judge anyone for being shy and we’re all kind of messed up one way or another.”

The workshops have been a way for Aver to let go and share his deepest thoughts.

“I wrote down everything that I kept inside, put it in a little book and took it home and burnt it,” he said.

“It was amazing, and it felt so freeing like I had that weight off me.”

Would and McLean have two sessions left. On Friday 29 September they will be using art to explore substance abuse problems and on Friday 13 October the session will focus on eating disorders.

Each session costs $30 and to book visit bit.ly/3LiPwcn.