Hundreds of Carleton University students streamed through Fenn Lounge on March 5 for “Masterpieces of the Mind,” an art expo that mixed mental health awareness with writing, performances, and visual arts.
Hosted by the Student Alliance for Mental Health and Jack.org, a national network of young leaders hoping to change how people think about mental health, the event featured about 50 submissions from Carleton students—from short stories, to paintings, to sculptures.
“We put on this event to sort of raise awareness for mental health and display what people generally think of their own mental health and the mental health of others,” said Student Alliance for Mental Health Treasurer Scott Zakaib. “We thought the best way to do that was through art and short stories and poetry and we’ve even got some performances that convey the same kind of stuff. We’re pretty excited to see what people have to say.”
Throughout the night, performers shared slam poetry and short stories while exhibition-goers explored the expo’s art pieces.
Zakaib said “Masterpieces of the Mind” raised about $650, with all proceeds going to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.
But while fundraising was an important component of the event, he said the real objective was to get students engaged and let them see there is a positive side to expressing how they feel about mental health.
“There’s so much stigma around just talking about how you feel. Regardless of whether you have a mental illness or if you get stressed out or if you just feel great all the time, all those things contribute to how you feel and a lot of people don’t like to talk about it,” he said. “We’re giving people the opportunity to express that, which I think is a great conversation that more people should be having.”
Second-year Carleton environmental engineering student Camila Gomez said she was impressed to see so many people being open about mental health.
“It’s really nice. I didn’t know Carleton does this type of event to raise awareness on mental health issues,” she said.
“There are so many people—I’m really looking forward to checking everything out.”
Madison Foran, whose clay and wire sculpture “Chaotic Mind” was featured at the expo, said events such as “Masterpieces of the Mind” help people feel more comfortable discussing mental health issues.
“I’m not very good with words, but I find if I can put the way I feel into something someone else can see, it’s easier for me to get my message across,” Foran said. “Stuff like this is great because it allows people to come out and say, ‘This is how I feel.’ No one is judging because everyone who comes here is supporting the cause and opportunities like this will not only help people thrive, but also give people who don’t have a voice the chance to have a voice.”
