Recovery in the Arts Exhibit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Flora Beal, (305) 345-8407 or Emery Cowan, 305-377-5027

CREATIVE INSPIRATION LEADS TO HEALTHY MINDS: USING ART TO SPEAK OUT FOR RECOVERY WHILE GIVING HOPE & SHARING SUCCESS

~Miami’s consumers of mental health and substance abuse services showcase their recovery through artwork at the Second Annual Recovery in the Arts exhibit.~

August 23, 2009 (Miami, Fla) – In celebration of National Recovery Month this September, Recovery in the Arts will unveil a series of acrylic paintings, photography, and paper maché art created by adult consumers with mental illnesses in Miami-Dade County. The Gallery Opening is Thursday, September 3, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the South Tower lobby of the Rohde Building, located at 401 NW 2nd Ave, Miami. At the opening ceremonies Representative Oscar Braynon will discuss important issues and concerns regarding mental health in our community. The exhibit and other related events throughout the month are sponsored by the Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), Consumer Network of Miami-Dade, and National Art Exhibitions for the Mentally Ill (NAEMI).

Additional events at Rohde Building include:
• FREE Art Exhibit, weekdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. throughout the month of September,
• Behavioral Health Fair, where artists and community organizations join together to showcase mental health and recovery programs throughout Miami-Dade, will be held on Thursday, September 17 from 11a.m. – 2 p.m.,
• Closing Ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. & will include music and drama activities by consumers with mental illness.

“The Recovery through the Arts Workshops exemplify the extraordinary talent that people with mental health issues exhibit,” noted Sandra McQueen-Baker, Consumer Network Coordinator. “The photography is breathtaking and the elaborately decorated paintings & paper maché sculptures illustrate an intense and bold artistic expression--their work is absolutely spectacular!”
The Consumer Network and NAEMI sponsored several art workshops on photography, painting, and paper maché throughout the summer. The Consumer Network recruited local artists and educators including Santiago “Chago” Rodriguez, painter/paper maché artist, and Enrique San Roman, photographer, to facilitate the first of these kinds of workshops for consumers with mental illness. Both artists generously volunteered their time and talent to guide the over 30 adult consumers to create wonderful works of art. The artists were recruited from various substance abuse and mental health providers throughout our community.

“DCF’s primary focus is assisting in strengthening our families,” stated Silvia Quintana, supervisor of the DCF Circuit 11 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office. “These mediums were used as an artistic and therapeutic tool to help participants express themselves, find ways to cope with their illness, and work towards recovery through the artistic experience. We need to continue to support different, creative ways to help our vulnerable people grow to be healthy individuals and get to their goals of personal growth and responsibility.”

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About The Consumer Network of Miami-Dade: Founded in 2006, The Consumer Network is a consumer representative organization, managed and operated by people who share a commitment to making a difference by reaching out to consumers, families, advocates, government, and the community at large. Its mission is to promote recovery through advocacy, education, empowerment, employment, peer support and self-help as well as enhance the lives of consumers through evidence-based practices and person-centered support services. The Consumer Network hosts monthly meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at the DCF building, room N-423. Additionally, the organization offers trainings on Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and other recovery workshops for consumers, Peer Specialists, and provider staff. The Consumer Network also promotes the State's Mental Health Transformation Initiative by providing consumer leadership training opportunities throughout the county.

About DCF: The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is dedicated to protecting the vulnerable, promoting strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advancing personal and family recovery and resiliency. The Department provides invaluable services and assistance, which are indispensable to our community. Our Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program is dedicated to developing a comprehensive system of care which includes mental health and substance abuse services to adults and children, as well as prevention, emergency/detoxification, and treatment services for individuals and families at risk of or affected by substance abuse or mental health issues. Other DCF services include responding to and investigating allegations of child abuse, as well as licensing foster homes and overseeing the care of children victimized by abuse, abandonment and neglect. The Department is also charged with investigating and arranging for the care of abused, neglected and exploited elderly and disabled adults in our community. We are also charged with licensing residential facilities and child care centers. Our ACCESS program administers Federal Benefits, accepting and processing application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Medicaid. In addition, the Department provides funding for refugee and homeless assistance programs.

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EDITORS NOTE: Artists will be available for interview at the Gallery Opening on September 3rd, during the Behavioral Health Fair on September 17th, and at the Closing Ceremonies on September 30th. Additional one-on-one interviews can be scheduled upon request by contacting Emery Cowan at 305-377-5027 or email: emery_cowan@dcf.state.fl.us