With dozens of art galleries, the City of Hudson is a hub for the arts in Columbia County. One gallery not to be overlooked is the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery located at 717 Columbia Street, on the corner of 7th Street Park and Columbia. This unique gallery hosts the work of over fifty artists, representing a variety of artists in the mental health and recovery communities.
In 2006, Brian Belt was diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance abuse disorder. Today, Brian runs the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery and gives the recovery community a voice and artistic outlet.
I believe that everyone can make it.
-Brian Belt
Some artists are dealing with mental health issues such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, and sexual abuse and trauma.
Throughout the years, Brian engaged in mental health recovery programs and became a certified peer counselor. Brian found through his training sessions, that some adults in recovery may not have been able to talk about their situation, but rather, express themselves through art. Brian started a Facebook group of artists in recovery around 2012, and soon found himself organizing exhibitions. In 2021, the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery received their non-profit status and Brian opened up an art gallery. The gallery plays an important role for those in recovery and showcases their work, taking away some of the negative social stigma. “I try to offer support”, says Brian, “Everyone realizes that they have something in common.”
Free art classes are offered to artists through the Art School of Columbia County, and the county now recognizes art therapy as an approved mental health service. The gallery holds public events and acts as a resource to those seeking programs in the area and was recently awarded $20,000 through some of the county’s “opioid abatement settlement funds”.
Initially, the project started with artists from Columbia County, today artists submit their work from all over the country, including places such as Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia.
The Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery is a 501c3 non-profit organization and relies on grants provided from sources such as Create Council on the Arts, the Ackerman Foundation and the Spark of Hudson. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of any artwork goes directly back to the artist.
For more information, please visit the gallery’s website at: Stigmafree.art
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