Sandra Abraham, a client of the Center for Behavioral Health, always knew she wanted to paint. But until she finally started four years ago, thanks to encouragement from the center and her friends, she never realized it could be a therapeutic — and affordable — hobby.

"I don't think I realized how much it would help," says Abraham, who'd been discouraged from painting in the past because she thought it would be too expensive. But she soon found that painting was a great release, much like journaling her thoughts, something she's been doing since she was 19.

Now an active participant in the center's art group, her work has been featured in the organization's calendar and all-occasion cards.

Abraham's art will be part of "The Art of Mental Health" exhibit at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Saturday, Dec. 2. The exhibit, displaying the work of Abraham and other clients at the center, is part of a larger series of events co-sponsored by the Center for Behavioral Health and the Mental Health Alliance (MHA).

The events will start Friday, Dec. 1, with a free dance featuring the NorTones blues band at the John Waldron Arts Center.

Saturday's events begin with an afternoon of free workshops with experts in both mental health and the arts and continue throughout the evening with the art exhibition and a benefit concert for the MHA, featuring Carrie Newcomer and Malcolm Dalglish.

Donna Graves, executive director of the Family Service Association/MHA, said, "I believe that this new event is a unique opportunity for the entire community to come together and learn more about mental health, mental illness and what resources our community offers to address these issues."

She hopes that, through the event, community members can begin to see mental health and illness as just one aspect of overall well-being that should be considered in everyone's general health care.

Co-sponsors Jennifer Bass and Cathi Norton have similar expectations. Their goal is to raise community awareness about mental health issues so the social stigma and fear surrounding mental health and emotional problems can begin to disappear.

"We wanted everyone to find a way to connect this weekend," said Bass, an MHA volunteer board member. "We hope that we can touch a lot of people. You don't have to have experienced mental illness to benefit."

Norton, community relations specialist at the center and a member of the NorTones, believes that the public's fear of those with mental health challenges handicaps them both. Through participation in the event, people can begin to understand how the arts can bring all kinds of people together.

"We want it to be a real celebration," she said. "It brings light to the fact that we're all in the same boat."

And, as Abraham points out, mental health problems don't affect any one gender, class or race.

"These problems don't pick people," she said. "They just happen."

The workshops will serve to strengthen this point. With topics ranging from the brain to various forms of art, Bass hopes to "have something for everyone."

At the "Ask a Professional" workshop, a panel of professionals will be available to answer questions and provide information about therapy, medical and support services in the community.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomy research scientist and president of the Bloomington chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will lead "The Art of the Brain."

Other discussions will include "Behind the Art," an opportunity to explore the connection between emotions and the creative process; "Expression through Movement," with Nell Weatherwax of IU's School of Fine Arts and the Improvisational Movement Theater; and "Writing as a Way of Healing," led by Beth Lodge-Rigal, an experienced facilitator of writing classes and workshops.

"The workshops glue it all together," said Norton.

Although the relationship between mental health and the arts might not be obvious at first, "The Art of Mental Health" aims to emphasize and celebrate that connection. According to Graves, art is a critical tool to help those with mental illness express their feelings and communicate.

"It is also believed that expressing emotion through drawing, dancing, writing, singing or any other art form is often therapeutic and can aid in a person's progress," she said.

This includes emotional responses to music, highlighted with the performances of the NorTones, Carrie Newcomer and Malcolm Dalglish.

Newcomer praised these efforts in the event's press release: "I believe the benefit for MHA and the overall 'Art of Mental Health' celebration is a wonderful way for our community to explore and celebrate the relationship between creativity and emotional well-being."

Many people can personally relate to mental and emotional health issues, whether through individual experience or that of a loved one, she said.

Norton and Bass agree that ultimately, to decrease the stigma, greater understanding of mental health is crucial. Recognizing the role of the arts in the healing process can be the first step in bringing the community together to help.

"It's not an obvious connection, but it works," said Bass. "People seem to resonate with the idea."

Alison Hamm can be reached at arhamm@indiana.edu.