Reinventing through art

She said the art program offers relaxation for clients and it helps develop social skills.

“It gives them a sense of accomplishment. They don’t think they have the ability to do things or they’re nervous or they used to do art or creative writing but then they stopped doing it so they either get back into it and they have those old feelings or they get a new identity out of it; a new coping skill,” said Randi Lamotte, recreation therapist for Mental Health Inpatients.

According to Lamotte, the clients were excited leading up to the gallery and were blown away when they saw the pieces up on the walls.

“Some of them want to sell their pieces and go home and start that,” she said.

In addition to the artists, friends, family and colleagues, members of the city council were present at the grand opening. Couns. Rick Orr and Don Cody brought greetings on behalf of the City.

“We’d like to say how happy we are that this gallery is open for today for this display. It shows people in our community that everyone is important and you all make a difference,” Orr said to the group.

“The other thing that’s really exciting is letting people know that we’re an inclusive community and that’s what’s important.”

“The Healing Journey” will be on display until April 29.

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by paNOW Staff

Reinventing through art

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