Community Corner
Mental Health Patients Exhibit Therapeutic Art at Casa Italia of Fairfax City
Many were moved to tears to see how much art has been an important part of their recovery.
Fairfax City's Casa Italia is not only a place for great food - at times, such as this past week, it is also a great place to see local art.
The Old Town restaurant was recently the site of an art exhibit by Pathway Homes, a local nonprofit organization that provides permanent, supportive housing to more than 400 individuals embracing recovery from serious mental illness, intellectual and development disabilities and substance use disorders in in the region, primarily in Fairfax County.
Anna Smith, Pathways' director of development, said:
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"We had 17 artists exhibiting 40 pieces of art, hung throughout Casa Italia. Over 100 individuals came to view and some to purchase art throughout the day. Those that attended included Fairfax County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova; and Mike Collins from Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office."
"In addition to the Chairman and the representative from the Congressman’s office, our President and CEO, Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, along with three of the exhibiting artists and the main benefactor of the Karen Free Art and Recovery fund, shared the profound therapeutic impact art has on the recovery process for individuals managing symptoms of mental illness."
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Smith said, while some artists did sell their art, many did not, because the pieces are so deeply important to them.
"They feel themselves in the pieces," Smith explained. "One artist said it would be like giving away an arm or a leg, it is so much apart of her."
Smith said, many in attendance were moved to tears as Brenda Free, Karen Free’s sister, shared how much Pathway Homes' staff had meant to her family, as they "felt such security and joyfulness to know her sister was provided such quality care."
She added, "The day was a celebration of the immense talents our residents possess and a beautiful reminder of the contribution individuals with serious mental illness give to our community everyday."
Eight of the featured artists from the Casa Italia show continue to exhibit 13 pieces of art through Aug. 16 at Beatnics Coffee Roasters, 7028 Columbia Pike in Annandale. All of the pieces featured in that show are for sale.
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