What a year so far!

Wow! What a year it has been for Spectrum ArtWorks! We had a memorable start to the year with an exhibit at Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis titled For the Love of... During this show, Spectrum ArtWorks artists received a lot of support from the community. We were A-Listed in the City Pages and Spectrum ArtWorks artist and Peer Support Specialist Christi Furnas was interviewed and featured on the cover of the Variety Section in the Star Tribune!

Follow this link to read The Art of Healing in the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/138789154.html?refer=y

 I was here... by Clarence Reed feat. at SooVAC

In February, Spectrum ArtWorks artist and Peer Support Specialist Christi Furnas was showcased in the Rosalux Gallery exhibition Open Door 7. This was a great achievement and we cannot think of a more talented and deserving artist to receive this special recognition.

Reading in bed by Christi Furnas

This year, Valentine's Day was Mental Health Day on the Hill. Alongside many other individuals, agencies and organizations, Spectrum ArtWorks artists rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol to be a part of demonstrating the importance and need for mental health supportive services.

A Valentine's Day Rally at the Capitol!

This summer, Spectrum ArtWorks artist and Peer Support Specialist Christi Furnas received more recognition for her work as both an advocate and an artist. She was featured in an issue of The Advocate in an editorial titled Forty under 40. Christi was celebrated as an artist and also as an inspiration to others for the work she has done in the GLBTQ community as well as her work to break down stigma associated with mental illness. She is a rock star!

Follow this link to read Forty under 40 in The Advocate:
http://news.advocate.com/post/21701470227/forty-under-40

Photo of Christi Furnas feat. in The Advocate

This summer Jamaicans celebrated the 50th anniversary of their freedom. To celebrate, Spectrum ArtWorks artist Audrey Bernard created this handmade quilt which she donated to help raise money for the school she attended as a child in Jamaica. In addition, Audrey headed home to St Thomas, Jamaica and spent three months with her family! She just arrived back in Minneapolis last week... welcome back Audrey!

Audrey working on finishing touches on her quilt!

It is now fall and we continue to stay busy! Spectrum ArtWorks artists walked in the 2012 NAMI Walk to raise awareness and end stigma about mental illness. Follow this link to learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness: http://www.namihelps.org/

On September 27th, Spectrum ArtWorks artists participated and celebrated work in the annual Artability Art Show. This year the show was held at The Historic Mounds Theatre in Saint Paul. The show was a lot of fun and a huge success! ArtWorks artist Peter F. Hinze won 2nd place in watercolor! Follow the link for more information about Artability:

http://www.peopleincorporated.org/get-involved/artability/

Peter at the Artability Opening

As it is impossible to share all the wonderful details of all the exciting things that happen with the Spectrum ArtWorks program and artists, we hope you enjoyed this highlight of the year so far! Spectrum ArtWorks artists would like to thank you dearly for supporting the Spectrum ArtWorks program!

Please continue to stay informed and show your support for Spectrum ArtWorks. You can follow us on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169?ref=hl

Continue to view and read our blog, as well as view lovely art on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

And, Spectrum ArtWorks is now on Twitter!! Check us out!

http://twitter.com/SpectrumArtWork

For more information or questions about the Spectrum ArtWorks program please contact Megan Andersen at mandersen@resource-mn.org