MONROE, LA – Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) opens its Mental Health Art Exhibition at the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American and Heritage Museum after hosting an opening reception on Thursday, July 13. This exhibition is part of the agency’s Art Is Medicine special initiative, an integrated health care, evidence-based prevention, communications, and treatment strategy to help serve persons with mental health, addictive disorders, and developmental disabilities.
NEDHSA’s Executive Director, Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, said, “the arts can help people come alive in ways traditional treatment options can’t.”
“Through this initiative, we commissioned seven regional creative artists to create artwork that focused on mental health, addiction, and trauma-related issues,” Dr. Sizer said. “Through the arts, we intend to help create an environment where dreams are realized, families are strong, bodies are healthy, community institutions are thriving, and spirits are renewed.”
Dr. Sizer sparked this creative expression to help address mental health issues, reduce addiction-related stigma, and work to help transform the region’s economy.
The Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum aims to preserve, promote, and provide educational programs to enhance cultural awareness of African American heritage in the area. The museum has a particular focus on art and promoting local artists. Founded in 1994, the Northeast Louisiana Delta African Heritage Museum museum features seminars, events, and research materials on the 1960s civil rights movement in Northeast Louisiana.
“The museum’s constant collaboration with NEDHSA is proving to be a positive force in the community in providing an outlet for a unique avenue for mental health,” Ross Slacks said, Executive Director of the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum.
The mental health art collection was created with the guidance and partnership of the NELA Arts Council and the Downtown Arts Alliance. The mental health exhibition displays pieces that introduce, inspire, and raise awareness of the various elements of mental/behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and addictive disorders. It features: “Joy is Coming” by JaCera Francois, “Verses of Sinners and Saints” by Keagan Vaughan, “Seen” by Rachel Madden, “Lose of Self” by Inique Harris, “Restored” by Shiketra’ Kween’ May White, “Intrusive Doubt” by Inique Harris, “What It Look Like 2.0 (Ease My Mind)” by Drék Davis, “What It Look Like 2.0 (So Many Tears)” by Drék Davis, “What It Look Like 2.0 (Stressed Out)” by Drék Davis, “What It Look Like 2.0 (Get Free)” by Drék Davis, “Growth” by Rachel Madden, “Fix Me” by Rachel Madden, and “Inside” by Rachel Madden.
The Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum’s hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is located at 1051 Chennault Park Dr, Monroe, LA 71203.
NEDHSA’s Mental Health Art Exhibition will travel to other regional museums and studios after it leaves the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum.
“We intend to help make our region a creative hub, a preferred destination that will generate much-needed economic development, job creation, innovation, and healing,” Dr. Sizer said.
Contact the museum at (318) 342-8889 for more information.
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For more information, contact DeRon Talley at (318) 237-9973 or email deron.talley@la.gov.
