Geelong Illustrators presents STILL HERE: A group art exhibition for mental health.
Trigger warning/content warning: Talks on the night will mention depression and suicide.
Renowned as a community group of artists from Geelong and surrounds with the aim to inspire each other to high standards of creativity and uplift each other through group exhibitions, meets and mutual support, Geelong Illustrators is a gathering place for lovers of the arts in all its forms – no matter the style, medium, or level of experience.
This month, it will also be a space to raise some awareness and money for mental health with a new group art exhibition, ‘Still Here’.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Opening Friday, June 17 from 6pm until 8pm, ‘Still Here’ brings together artists from Geelong and Melbourne who have all donated their artworks to raise money for this important cause, influenced by the loss of a local artist who died by suicide. Geelong Illustrators were donated her art materials and artworks, and rather than let the beautiful artworks sit there, they wanted to raise money to support the cause, the best way they know how.
“We will be running a very special group art exhibition for mental health with proceeds going towards headspace Geelong,” the event reads.
“Mental health affects us all, and so many Geelong Illustrators artists struggle with various issues such as anxiety, depression, BPD, OCD, using art as their creative outlet and to assist with mindfulness.”
Across the opening evening, guests are encouraged to come to buy a beautiful artwork with 95% of sales going directly to headspace (5% required for processing fees).
There will also be a number of Mental Health resources available on the night, with a representative from headspace talking, as well as poetry and artist talks. Geelong Illustrators are also making a zine of illustrations, poetry and more, with sales going to headspace Geelong to continue to support those with mental health issues.
“Supporting mental health is very close to my heart, being an artist who suffers from anxiety and depression, and many of my friends and people I know are suffering with their own mental health issues,” says Geelong Illustrators’ Clare Holder.
“We want to help raise awareness as there is still so much stigma around reaching out for help.”
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The exhibition opens on June 17 and runs until July 16. Visit the Geelong Illustrators Studio Gallery 105 Moorabool Street Geelong CBD (behind the bus stop) tonight from 6pm-8pm and help support mental health.
