Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
LEWISTON — The 2022-23 Lewiston Youth Advisory Council has decided to focus on mental health awareness. The group also decided, at its recent first meeting, to focus on Lewiston’s growing public art scene and would like to boost mental health awareness through artwork.
As such, the council is putting out a call for artists of all ages to forward them a photograph, sketch, painting, or graphic design in an effort to educate community members about mental health, remind community members that they matter, and hopefully help break the stigma that often surrounds individuals with mental health challenges.
“Mental health can impact all of us,” said Feysal Abdirahaman, of the council. “The challenges are real, and they can happen to anybody. Others may be oblivious to what others are experiencing, but it’s very real.”
LYAC member Ava Golder agreed. “It’s important that people dealing with mental health concerns not be dismissed.”
Member Corinne Rosario said, “It’s important for people’s voices to be expressed and truly helps.”
Submission deadline is Oct. 5.
Submissions should be no bigger than 11-by-14 inches. They should include a title; one or two sentences explaining the piece; and contact name, number, and email should accompany each submission. The should be mailed to the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council at the City Administrator’s Office, Lewiston City Hall, 27 Pine St., Lewiston. A brief video (under 3 minutes) may also be submitted at dottie@lewistonmaine.gov.
Submissions that are selected by LYAC will be displayed at a fall community forum (date to be determined), where speakers and mental health advocates will also be on site to share and interact with others.
LYAC hopes that themes depicted in the artwork will include kindness, personal experience, encouragement, and respect for others.
Artwork submitted will become the property of LYAC, and LYAC has the sole discretion as to whether a submission is accepted for forum display. If a submission is chosen for display, the artist will be contacted for completion of an art release form. Depending on response, LYAC may also develop the submissions as a traveling exhibit at places that would like to display the work, such as perhaps a school.
