Northwest organizations accepting submissions for upcoming art exhibition

Active Minds and the Behavioral Science Association at Northwest Missouri State University are now accepting art for “I Will Listen,” an event aimed at reducing stigmas surrounding mental illness and promoting discussions about mental health disorders.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. Artwork should be brought to the front desk of Colden Hall’s second floor west wing. The artwork should include the artist's name, school, community affiliation and the title of the artwork.

“The COVID-19 isolation intensified mental health concerns and helped us see how important being connected is to our wellness,” Monica Zeigel, the coordinator of Hope-4-All at Northwest, said. “My hope is to create an environment and culture where the topic of mental health is openly discussed and creates as much empathy as any other physical ailment.”

The “I Will Listen” event, which is free and open to the public, is 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, in the J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom.

Attendees may participate in short yoga, Zumba and meditation sessions, in addition to the art exhibit, which invites community members to express their experiences with mental health. The art exhibition will feature drawings, paintings, graphic designs, pottery, sculpture, photography, mixed medium work and poetry submitted by youth, college students and Northwest faculty and staff. Attendees will be invited to vote on the artwork, and prizes will be awarded in each age category.

Speakers scheduled for the event include Olivia Babinski, the president of the Behavioral Science Association; Chris Dawe, Northwest’s assistant vice president for health and well-being; Nicole Harnisch, a certified mental performance consultant; Isaiah McBride, a functional family therapist; and Payton Walker, a Nodaway-Holt high school student.

For more information, contact Babinski at s535246@nwmissouri.edu or Zeigel at mzeigel@nwmissouri.edu.