“IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY”

“IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY” HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBIT

FEATURED DURING CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2022

WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center (OZH) have partnered to bring a themed collection of submissions by area high school and middle school students to the West Plains Civic Center. WPCA will host the exhibition of works in the Gallery at the Center from April 30 through May 6, 2022. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours.

Linked here is a virtual slide show of this exhibit!

Coordinator Janey Hale says, “WPCA is honored to facilitate a students’ art show during Mental Health Month/Children’s Mental Health Week.  Art has long been considered an excellent outlet for children to express themselves.”

The 2022 Children’s Mental Health Week theme is “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”. This area competition invites area 9-12 grade students to provide their artistic interpretation of what that means. An additional display of grades 5-8 students will be featured. All media types are accepted.

Participating schools include Licking, Lutie, Mansfield, Mountain Grove, Skyline, and West Plains.

“There is a positive correlation between art and mental health,” says Richard McGee, Director at Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center. “Art activity is known to lower stress levels.  Creating art for this project is a way to experience this and to shine a light on the importance of mental health.”

A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, May 6 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the Gallery at the Center. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view and discuss the pieces on display.

For more information about the exhibit, contact OZH coordinator Lorenda Roberson l.roberson@ozhcare.com or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.