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Fri Jul 25 2008

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Outdoor sculpture dedicated for mental health
by Nancy deBrier
in Journal issue November-December 2004
December 1, 2004

Southeast, Inc. dedicated an outdoor sculpture and art gallery on September 28, 2004 at 131 North High Street. The outdoor sculpture and plaque give testimony and honor to persons recovering from mental illnesses and/or substance abuse.

The sculptor of the outdoor art, Stephen Cannetto, said, “I often use a sphere in my art. It symbolizes wholeness, unity and our connection to each other. Also, the energy of the universe, the sun and the power of our minds.”

“The colored sphere at the top may be the creation of the two persons, or a challenge. The two persons standing on the sphere are in an exciting, challenging and precarious stance, but they are supporting each other and thereby making life’s balancing act easier and more fulfilling,” Cannetto commented.

Cannetto also had strong political words about our current administration, noting that it is “looting the Treasury for war …used as a pretext to deprive our neediest …of life’s basic human services and dignity.”

The gallery, Fresh A.I.R., stands for “Artists in Recovery.” The artists have mental illness and/or substance abuse. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the art go to the artist. The three current artists are Angela Cooke-Bornskin, Randy Jones and Melvin “Mel” Robinson.

Artist Randy Jones worked at Partners in Active Living (PALS), a mental health agency that hires only recovering mental health consumers. A warm, humble man, his computer generated art is described as “exciting.”

The sculpture dedication ceremony drew participants from Ohio Legal Rights Services, attorneys, psychiatrists, mental health consumers, Columbus Symphony patrons and politicians. Mike Hogan, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health attended, as well as Mayor Michael Coleman, Councilperson Charleta Tavares, State Senator Ray Miller and State Representative Dan Stewart.

Next year, a levy will be introduced for mental health services in Ohio. The Fresh A.I.R. gallery is a good example of what recovering persons can do with quality services. For more information about the levy at www.adamhfranklin.org/consumers.

Fresh A.I.R. is open during Southeast, Inc. business hours and soon will be featured in the Short North Gallery Hop. For more information about the gallery, call Kha Huynh at 614-225-0980.

Nancy deBrier is an activist and person with mental illness.

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