Lexington, SC – The award winning Art of Recovery program of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health will be on display in Lexington County during the months of October and November.
The Art of Recovery project recognizes the talent of people who live with mental illness and the role that creative outlets can play in the recovery process. The rotating gallery showcases the works of art created by individuals across South Carolina who receive care through the SC Department of Mental Health’s system of in-patient facilities and seventeen community mental health centers.
Started in May of 2000, as “A Living Gallery with a Message of Hope,” the Art of Recovery has provided a platform for the artists involved to use their creative voice as a way to combat the stigma society often associates with behavioral healthcare. In 2006, the program received the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for Art in the government category for outstanding achievement and contributions to the Arts in South Carolina.
This is the first visit of the Art of Recovery to Lexington County – previous exhibits have been held in Columbia, Orangeburg, Florence, and Myrtle Beach. The Lexington exhibits will also expand the artwork presented from the traditional paintings and drawings to also include pottery, quilting and other crafts.
The Irmo branch of the Lexington County Library at 6251 Saint Andrews Road will host the project October 2-30, with a gallery opening on October 3rd at 12:45 p.m. The display will then move to the Lexington Main Library for the month of November.
The Lexington County Community Mental Health Center provides an array of quality behavioral health and recovery services to youth, adults, and seniors through its three adult clinics, emergency services, and innovative child and adolescent programs.
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