‘HAPI Art’ exhibit promotes healing through creativity, features local artists
JACKSON, Tenn. — One art exhibit is aiming to raise awareness and to bring happiness to visitors in the Hub City. The Healing Arts Project Inc. of West Tennessee hosted their opening exhibit of “HAPI Art” at The Ned.
“Every single artist in here is so unique. All the way down to somebody that takes her grandmother’s old jewelry and is able to create the most elegant art that you’ll see,” said Lisa Chibbaro, West Tennessee coordinator for HAPI.
The Healing Arts Project Incorporated also known as “HAPI” has been around Tennessee for 20 years. Their goal is to advocate and to erase the stigma mental health and substance abuse disorders. By doing so, they supply artists with supplies.
“Gives them that feeling and well being of being a part of something and it’s something that they created is out there. It is something that other people want. It allows them to feel a sense of value and appreciation and worth,” said Chibbaro.
HAPI is grant and donation based. Currently at this exhibit, art work can be commissioned as well as donations accepted to help a special cause.
“Some of the things we do to try and support our independent artist is we actually put on exhibits for them. Where we take the cost of hanging and the reception and things like that but we also help artists by giving them art supplies, opportunities to participate in art chats. Where we pay them to come out,” said Lynece Benton-Stewart, executive director for HAPI.
HAPI also emphasizes that art is important for healing and self expression for those that may battle mental health and substance abuse disorders.
“The classes have been a complimentary intervention to their regular treatment to their mental health or substance abuse disorders. It has caused them to have more confidence, being able to advocate for themselves. Increasing their self esteem. It’s been a number of things that the Healing Arts Project — the healing arts — do for individuals,” said Lynece.
This exhibit is on display at The Ned until Monday, March 31.
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