Art of the Minds celebrates another great festival

THE Art of the Minds Festival has wrapped for another year, following a week of art, music, performance, education and creative community connections.

Organisers have hailed this year’s edition of the annual festival to raise money and awareness of mental health issues as a “massive success”.

The festival started in a big way on October 7 with the return of the Mind, Heart and Body Ball, where Art of the Minds raised more than $18,000 for Foundation 61, a significant contribution to the built of its new rehabilitation service for women with life-controlling issues.

At the “Shimmer & Shake” Ball, Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic received the 2023 Mental Wellbeing Community Award, which recognises the hard work of local businesses and organisations who excel in their mental wellbeing support of its members and strive towards reducing the stigma of mental illness.

“We were thrilled to use our major fundraising event as a platform to announce this year’s winner,” Art of the Minds president Jules Haddock said.

“Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic is set in a scene of anxiety provoking situations and continues to show warmth and kindness to not only their customers but also to each other.

“It is true to say that the staff love working there.”

Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic’s Kate Giddings said the business was honoured by the win.

“It is such an amazing event and something so important for all of us.”

The program, which featured more than 30 events in support of this year’s National Mental Health Week, saw a record turnout of locals and visitors alike, who enjoyed a program of events, workshops and activities.

The return of the Surf Coast Song Contest saw an impressive line-up of local musicians, with Elizabeth Riordan taking out the top prize of $1,000 plus studio time to record her winning song “Discoveries”.

To mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, community members came together for a paddle out with Ocean Mind.

The Art of the Minds festival wrapped up on a high note with record numbers attending the mental health themed trivia night, disco, art exhibition launch and open mic at Bells Beach Brewing.

This year’s program involved local artists, creatives, local businesses, community groups and philanthropic bodies working together

“We extend a huge thank you to everyone who performed, created, worked hard on and attended our festival,” Ms Haddock said.

Plans are already under way for the Art of the Minds Festival to return in 2024.

For more information, head to artoftheminds.org.au