Awakening the Spirit Art Show & Sale
celebrating the creative talents of people living with mental illness
Awakening the Spirit Art Show & Sale
celebrating the creative talents of people living with mental illness
Awakening the Spirit Art Show & Sale
celebrating the creative talents of people living with mental illness
Awakening the Spirit Art Show & Sale
celebrating the creative talents of people living with mental illness
Awakening the Spirit Art Show & Sale
The Canadian Mental Health Association is proud to host the 17th Annual Awakening the Spirit Art Show & Sale, celebrating the creative talents of people living with mental illness.
Art has a therapeutic quality that has proven to benefit the mental health of individuals. Artwork on display is from those living with mental illness who have used art to positively improve their mental health.
Through art and creativity we hope to break down some of the barriers and stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.
We encourage everyone to visit the gallery at the Vernon Community Arts Centre and view the amazing work of our local artists. Artwork is also available to purchase online here or at the Arts Centre.
Join us online here or in person at the Vernon Community Arts Centre!
Last year's show was a great success. This year, we will not be hosting an opening night gala, however, the Vernon Community Arts Centre will be open the following hours for guests to view the show and purchase art works.
HOURS:
Monday to Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Daily closures take place 12:30 to 1:30 for sanitizing.
The Illusion I See Through My Own Eyes (8 x 10)
If I see northern lights in the sky reflecting on the surface of the water,
I recognize the reflected image as a projection-like a mirror image
Because I see it with my own eyes, I am convinced that I am reliable.
To create my view of the world depending on how I perceive it.
The northern lights reflecting on the surface of the water
Are the illusions through which my bias of my world view developed.
While I do not notice it, I repeat the same patterns of perceiving things over and over
Where is the real world I am living in?
It is necessary for me to draw a boundary
Between reality and my perceived world?
Well, am I really willing to draw this boundary?
By Eiko Emily Uehara
🄫Eiko Uehara 2020
Eiko was born and raised in Tokyo. Since coming to Salmon Arm in 1993, she has engaged in spontaneous art making.
As a visual artist. Eiko has exhibited her art at several shows: Shuswap Artists, sponsored by the Shuswap Art Gallery Association; an open exhibition Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Shuswap Lake Festival of the Art in Sorrento, etc.
She has received several awards: Award of Excellence for her contribution to the banner project sponsored by the Shuswap District Arts Council in 2002, a Community Arts Award for her contribution to art activities in the community sponsored by the Shuswap District Art Council in 2008. Her art works were juried for displaying at the Table 24 art exhibition in 2015.
After taking several art courses, she has been exploring a suitable method of expression in her art such as mixed media. Poetry with visual images is one aspect of an interesting collaboration of her artistic expression.
Eiko Emily Uehara
The Perception of the Transformation of Time (8 x 10)
We all have twenty-four hours a day.
No matter what happens, it never changes.
However, they are not how we perceive our experiences.
The perception of the time depends on how we spend our time.
The saddest pains are engraved timelessly
In the ice of our hearts.
The highest moments are symbolized as fireworks
Which perform then disappear in a moment of brilliance.
Time itself has its own paces and rules
Therefore, is important to learn how to become good friends of time
And discover if we have been living our lives to the full.
By Eiko Emily Uehara
🄫Eiko Uehara 2020
Eiko was born and raised in Tokyo. Since coming to Salmon Arm in 1993, she has engaged in spontaneous art making.
As a visual artist. Eiko has exhibited her art at several shows: Shuswap Artists, sponsored by the Shuswap Art Gallery Association; an open exhibition Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Shuswap Lake Festival of the Art in Sorrento, etc.
She has received several awards: Award of Excellence for her contribution to the banner project sponsored by the Shuswap District Arts Council in 2002, a Community Arts Award for her contribution to art activities in the community sponsored by the Shuswap District Art Council in 2008. Her art works were juried for displaying at the Table 24 art exhibition in 2015.
After taking several art courses, she has been exploring a suitable method of expression in her art such as mixed media. Poetry with visual images is one aspect of an interesting collaboration of her artistic expression.
Eiko Emily Uehara
Morris Canyon (16 x 18)
Hello, my name is Janine Fisher. I enjoy capturing nature on my camera. Photography makes me happy and keeps my anxiety away. I started photography as a means to spend more time with a friend who has the same love of capturing photos. I love sharing my photos to my world at large!
Janine Fisher
Old Barn (13 x 11)
Hello, my name is Janine Fisher. I enjoy capturing nature on my camera. Photography makes me happy and keeps my anxiety away. I started photography as a means to spend more time with a friend who has the same love of capturing photos. I love sharing my photos to my world at large!
Janine Fisher
SOLD
A New Vision (23 x 19)
Born in Vernon in 1963. I worked for many years as a chef in many restaurants and hotels throughout Western Canada
I took up painting in 1991. I’ve done several art shows and have sold many paintings throughout BC. Some of my paintings have been taken to places like Japan and England. I mostly enjoy abstract art.
Wayne Pozdnikoff
Untitled Abstract (36 x 12)
Born in Vernon in 1963. I worked for many years as a chef in many restaurants and hotels throughout Western Canada
I took up painting in 1991. I’ve done several art shows and have sold many paintings throughout BC. Some of my paintings have been taken to places like Japan and England. I mostly enjoy abstract art.
Wayne Pozdnikoff
Indigo Moon (11 x 13)
I was born in Kitimat, BC before the town was really going. My family is fairly artistic, especially my big brother who was a good cartoonist. I did some cartooning myself. We all thought my brother would make it big – he didn’t. I don’t draw much these days. I like photography and writing now. My present artistic endeavor is writing a novel about head-hunters in New Guinea.
Steve Hanke
A Beautiful Soul (16 x 12)
I am 57 years old. I enjoy taking photographs as well as gardening, stained glass, and ceramics. I like to take photographs to make photo cards.
Louise Ostensen
Two Bees in a Pod (16 x 12)
I am 57 years old. I enjoy taking photographs as well as gardening, stained glass, and ceramics. I like to take photographs to make photo cards.
Louise Ostensen
Setting Sun (15 x 18)
Photography is my life. It gives me great pleasure to be able to capture the beauty in the natural world all around us. It gives me even more satisfaction when I’m able to share these treasured sights with others. I started taking photographs in 2014 and I seem to learn something new in the process every day. I am grateful for that.
Barb Treen
SOLD
Eagle Eye (10 x 12)
Photography is my life. It gives me great pleasure to be able to capture the beauty in the natural world all around us. It gives me even more satisfaction when I’m able to share these treasured sights with others. I started taking photographs in 2014 and I seem to learn something new in the process every day. I am grateful for that.
Barb Treen
Moonbeams & Cat Dreams (16 x 16)
I grew up on the North Side of Shuswap Lake at Celista/Magna Bay area. My great grandfather is recording as being the first settle on that side of the lake and Celista was originally known as “Fowler’s Landing” where one could stop in and have a wee drop of the amber nectar. I was the youngest and so ended up spending most of my time alone, out in the woods, or down at the river or lake. I attribute my creativity to those early years of cedar forests, the rushing river and the ever-present lake. My mother called me her “Child of Wind, Water & Woods” and so I am. Having lived through much trauma, I discovered at a young age that I could lose myself in art and keep the demons at bay. I live with PTSD, anxiety depression and a host of physical challenges. Art keeps me grounded and no matter how crappy I feel. If I sit down and start to create, soon everything else has faded away and I’m lost in the process. Art is life-saving and life-giving. Indulge yourself.
Wendy Chambers
SOLD
Power of Peace (Diameter: 10)
I grew up on the North Side of Shuswap Lake at Celista/Magna Bay area. My great grandfather is recording as being the first settle on that side of the lake and Celista was originally known as “Fowler’s Landing” where one could stop in and have a wee drop of the amber nectar. I was the youngest and so ended up spending most of my time alone, out in the woods, or down at the river or lake. I attribute my creativity to those early years of cedar forests, the rushing river and the ever-present lake. My mother called me her “Child of Wind, Water & Woods” and so I am. Having lived through much trauma, I discovered at a young age that I could lose myself in art and keep the demons at bay. I live with PTSD, anxiety depression and a host of physical challenges. Art keeps me grounded and no matter how crappy I feel. If I sit down and start to create, soon everything else has faded away and I’m lost in the process. Art is life-saving and life-giving. Indulge yourself.
Wendy Chambers
NFS
A Piece of Nova Scotia (9 x 6)
My name is Melissa. I had the chance to discover the east coast this last year, which made for a great opportunity to create new art work. Thank you to CMHA for taking the time to put on this art show.
Melissa Woloshyn
NFS
The Beauty of Color (14 x 18)
When working with the camera, I feel alive. I take photos of anything that catches my eye. I have taken photos at weddings and other events. Wildlife and birds are what I prefer to take pictures of, but my favorite style of photography is macro shooting as I love seeing the tiniest detail in the photo that the eye would not always catch without such a close up.
Colleen Fielding
Looking Outside the Shell [Macro shot] (14 x 18)
When working with the camera, I feel alive. I take photos of anything that catches my eye. I have taken photos at weddings and other events. Wildlife and birds are what I prefer to take pictures of, but my favorite style of photography is macro shooting as I love seeing the tiniest detail in the photo that the eye would not always catch without such a close up.
Colleen Fielding
Beauty (10 x 12)
I was born in 1960 and I grew up in Central Alberta. I took art in high school and enjoyed color since my teenage years. I love to take photos of birds, all types of wildlife, and flowers I like to arrange my photos and work in color in other projects. Color therapy and learning more about my camera are my favorite things to do. Color can soothe the soul and can boost your mood. Color makes the world go around
Darlene Danek
Perfect Bloom (10 x 12)
I was born in 1960 and I grew up in Central Alberta. I took art in high school and enjoyed color since my teenage years. I love to take photos of birds, all types of wildlife, and flowers I like to arrange my photos and work in color in other projects. Color therapy and learning more about my camera are my favorite things to do. Color can soothe the soul and can boost your mood. Color makes the world go around
Darlene Danek
SOLD
Uliuli [Blue-Green] (9 x 12)
I was born in Chanthan, NB in 1965. I had some art classes in school and I go to CMHA’s art group in S.A. I became very interested with Hawaiian musical culture which is why my paintings have Hawaiian names. Hawaiian music lead to the art I do which in turn has kept me calm, and given me a place to go when my world doesn’t make sense. Mahalo.
Mary-Anne Swanson
Pahoehoe [Hawaiian for 'Lava'] (9 x 7)
I was born in Chanthan, NB in 1965. I had some art classes in school and I go to CMHA’s art group in S.A. I became very interested with Hawaiian musical culture which is why my paintings have Hawaiian names. Hawaiian music lead to the art I do which in turn has kept me calm, and given me a place to go when my world doesn’t make sense. Mahalo.
Mary-Anne Swanson
Something in Common (16 x 19)
Photography for me is a calming agent. It helps to silent the noise and confusion in my head, keeping me centered and focused in the present moment, This opportunity to showcase my work builds self-esteem, creating purpose and meaning; a sense that I am able to contribute something to others.
Colin Carney
His Moment of Awareness (14 x 17)
Photography for me is a calming agent. It helps to silent the noise and confusion in my head, keeping me centered and focused in the present moment, This opportunity to showcase my work builds self-esteem, creating purpose and meaning; a sense that I am able to contribute something to others.
Colin Carney
COVID-19 Art Calendar (22 x 15)
I decided to stay calm and collected when BC launched its Covid-19 measures. I did a lot of walking, photography, phone calls, cooking, baking, and meditating with Insight Timer. I also decided to make this art calendar. My plan was to take a photo for inspiration and do a drawing each day of the month. My unused 2014 desktop calendar was easy to adapt for this project. Here is the finished piece. Enjoy.
Christine Schmidt
Purple Shadows (14 x 17)
I’ve always enjoyed art. I have tried many different mediums but for me, it always comes back to pen and ink. I find it so natural and free. My primary focus is flowers or anything with shading.
Pam Chretien
Seasons of Life (14 x 17)
I have lived in the Valley for about twenty years. I come from the Northern British Colombia Coast. I would take walks in the woods and see wild flowers in all their glory. They would give hope that there is a way out of depression and slowly recover to enjoy life again. There is a season for everything
LorRee D. Brown
Cherry Blossoms (12 x 16)
Art comes from within. I create when I feel mindful of the world around me. Colour, form and texture are my guides. Art is creativity of the soul of the artist in the place of creation. I am a self-taught artist influenced by centuries of all artistic pursuits. During my teaching years in daycare and with kindergarten students I was delighted and inspired by my student’s art work. Their work encouraged me to explore various art mediums and to become the artist that I am today.
Val MacDonald
NFS
Landscape (12 x 16)
Art comes from within. I create when I feel mindful of the world around me. Colour, form and texture are my guides. Art is creativity of the soul of the artist in the place of creation. I am a self-taught artist influenced by centuries of all artistic pursuits. During my teaching years in daycare and with kindergarten students I was delighted and inspired by my student’s art work. Their work encouraged me to explore various art mediums and to become the artist that I am today.
Val MacDonald
NFS
