By: Brayden Ransom with contributions from Amy Smith
Mental Health Connecticut’s (MHC) Mending Art Program was recently recognized as an honoree for the Litchfield Hills Creative Awards. These awards highlight local individuals, organizations, businesses, programs, projects, and events that positively impact the region through the arts, history, culture and creative means. The ceremony, held on Saturday at Warner Theatre, brought together many talented Connecticut creatives. Members of MHC and our Mending Art Program attended the Awards Ceremony. This years theme was “COVID Heroes,” which recognizes those who adapted or provided creative solutions to the challenges caused by the pandemic.
Congratulations to the Creative Awards Honorees:
– Ash Royer (artist), Thomaston
– Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington
– KidsPlay Children’s Museum, Torrington
– Mending Art (Mental Health CT), Torrington
– Michelle Begley (American Mural Project), Winsted
– Village Center for the Arts, New Milford
MHC’s Mending Art Program began in 2013 as a casual meetup of 3-4 interested program participants at MHC’s Independence Center (IC) in Waterbury, CT. Amy Smith, an artist, art advocate, and former gallery owner, founded Mending Art at MHC when she witnessed firsthand how art became a powerful force in healing and connecting with oneself and others.
Mending Art has reached hundreds of individuals throughout the state who receive services from MHC, including residential programs in: Torrington, Waterbury, West Hartford, Danbury, Bridgeport and Stamford. Through community partnerships, and with the addition of Jazz Borst, an artist and former studio manager for the Holland Area Arts Council in Michigan, Mending Art reaches hundreds more in the community. Mending Art’s home base is now located at the Five Points Arts Center in Torrington, CT.
A huge thank you to NWCT Arts Council for a wonderful celebration of the arts!
