Art exhibit aims to foster mental health dialogue
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Winnipeg Free Press subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $4.99 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — A new community arts project is aiming to break down the stigma surrounding mental health by inviting people of all ages to express their experiences through creativity.
The Portage Learning & Literacy Centre (PLLC) has put out an open call for submissions for its “Art of Healing” exhibition, a traveling showcase designed to be as inclusive as possible.
“We’re trying to do a very, very low-barrier art exhibition for people who are interested in showcasing any form of art that pertains to mental health,” said Rachel Pilipchuk, the Youth Life Skills Project Leader at PLLC. “We’re trying to accept anything that people are willing to submit just for the sake of mental health and representation.”
Initially open to those 13 and older, the project has removed its age limit to encourage broader participation. Submissions can range from paintings and sculptures to recorded dance performances and digital media. There is currently no cap on the number of pieces an individual can submit.
The core mission of the project is to make the topic of mental health more approachable and start a community-wide conversation.
“Everybody’s got mental health,” Pilipchuk said. “Having an understanding of it and working through the stigma of even just the conversation is what we’re hoping to do.”
The collected works will form a travelling exhibition, with plans to visit local venues, including schools in Portage la Prairie and Oakville. The tour will culminate in a final, large-scale show at Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment in March 2026.
To ensure accessibility, the PLLC is offering support for those who may face barriers with the application process, including language or literacy challenges. Staff are available to help individuals complete the necessary forms.
The project is part of the PLLC’s broader goal of building capacity within the community by equipping residents with skills and education.
“You have to take care of your mental health to be able to work,” Pilipchuk noted, connecting the initiative back to the centre’s employment-focused programming.
Submission details and application forms are available through the PLLC. Check out pllc.ca for more information or visit their Facebook page.
» Portage Graphic