MONSTERS:: Art & Multimedia Exhibit
“Surrender is not ‘I lost’. it’s an acknowledgment that I can’t do it all alone. ”
Ramel Wallace of The Holyfield
MONSTERS - A MULTI-MEDIA ART EXHIBIT
May was Mental Health Awareness Month. This year at YBH, we wanted to acknowledge this by participating in a community event that tackled the subject of mental health in a creative and meaningful way. We were proud to join forces with Ramel Wallace and Daniel Koestner of The Holyfield to present Monsters, a multi-media exhibition exploring the manifestation of monsters in our lives and the transformations that are possible when we “turn our monsters into masterpieces.”
Curated by Blanca Lucia Bergman of Art Unites, the Monsters exhibition includes sculptures, pen and ink drawings, acrylic paintings, and photography by professional artists, amateur artists, and student artists. The opening reception on May 11 drew in about 50 people throughout the day and featured a screening of the Monsters music video by Ramel Wallace & Daniel Koestner, a panel discussion, a gong meditation by SphereTU, and a storytelling session where community members took to the mic to share stories of overcoming their own personal monsters. Some of it was painful, but we were also inspired by the courage and willingness of those who shared vulnerably. They allowed us to acknowledge these stories as a community and gave us all the opportunity to support one another.
We’re grateful to everyone who came and participated in this powerful and ultimately uplifting experience.
Come see the art one last time before it comes down off the walls! The closing reception for Monsters takes place on Thursday, June 6, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Here are some important takeaways from throughout the day.
Generational Curse - a term that describes the tendency to carry on the same lifestyle and path as your family line.
Your unique strength and identity is needed by your community to make it stronger, not to conform to it.
The worst thing you can do to someone with mental health is to put them in isolation. Disease thrives on isolation. Community is key to helping those you love work through their struggles.
See your disease as a gift- it can open the door to a spiritual awakening. Suffering can offer a sense of self.
Surrender is not “I lost”. It is an acknowledgment that I can’t do it all alone.
For those who may dealing with mental health issues and are seeking help, please consider contacting the following organizations:
Love Expands (Great Website with many resources for relationships, living with trauma, wellbeing, and more)
It’s Up To Us (UP2SD) (San Diego Based non-profit)
The Growth Vigilante - Counseling services and workshops here in San Diego
1 (888) 724-7240 - Crisis Line
For information about upcoming events at YBH, keep an eye on our calendar. To book the space for your next event, contact us here.
Social Media/Instagram for mentioned artists and organizations
The Holy Field @theholyfield
Ramel Wallace @RealJWallace
Daniel Koestner @DNYKAY
Art Unites @ArtUnites