Mental health art show at Thurso venue starts this Thursday
A local support group is hosting an art exhibition at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF).
The show features a variety of work by the Listening Ear Caithness (LEC) art group and runs from October 10-27 at the High Street venue.
The LEC art group has been running since April 2024 as a result of the successful Weekend Wellness Project over Christmas and the New Year 2023-24. It has now collated a collection of art and poetry for the exhibition which opens on Thursday. All are also welcome to join LEC on Sunday afternoons from 3.30pm til 5.30pm at Stepping Stones, Thurso.
This year’s theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is ‘In/Visible’ which has inspired many local creatives. SMHAF Highland is a collaborative event supported by artists from around the region, and organisations involved include LEC along with various others.
“There is an exciting mix of art,” explained Karrie Marshall of Creativity In Care, “including powerful expressive art of hidden stories about service provision, masks with meaning, and humorous art about growing unseen qualities and ambitions. We are grateful to the Mental Health Foundation for supporting some of the travel and material costs. The festival mainly runs on the goodwill of all involved.”
Some of the art is for sale, including Caithness Stone Crofts by Robbie Falconer which gives a glimpse into a lost way of life and work by Ullapool artist Susan Brown, along with Garve’s printmaker Fenella Ross-Elmer.
Check the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Highland Facebook page for more info at: www.facebook.com/SMHAFHighland
SMHAF has an event on Sunday, October 13 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm: Mixed Media Arts with Green Tree Arts and Listening Ear at Thurso’s Stepping Stones.
The art will be on display at the Thurso gallery before going on tour to Kyle of Tongue in November.
Listening Ear-Caithness' said it is extremely grateful for the opportunity and sends out a 'special thank you' to all its collaborative partners within the project.
