The DG Creative Wellbeing Network is playing a key role in organising Dumfries and Galloway’s participation in this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF).
SMHAF provides a platform where everyone in Scotland can create and share art about mental health and explores how the arts and creativity can support people to live mentally healthier lives.
This year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival takes place across Scotland from 10 – 27 October 2024, exploring the theme of ‘In/Visible’.
DG Creative Wellbeing is proud to be working in partnership with Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, NHS D&G Public Health, DGRI, The Crichton Trust, and RBC Film Theatre, to bring you these exciting and important events.
KEEP TURNING THE PAGE
ART JOURNAL PROJECT AND CREATIVE TOOLBOX EXHIBITION AT DGRI
For the second year, we are delighted to be showcasing the work of our Art Journal Project and Creative Toolbox particpants in an exciting exhibition taking place at DGRI.
Over a period of sixteen weeks participants worked with a range of artists and makers via in-person and remote workshops and creative research trips – exploring a wide range of visual arts practises and processes including printmaking, clay, animation, illustration, mark-making, colour theory, zine-making and creative writing. The project’s activities are designed to enhance wellbeing via creative expression, mindful practise, positive distraction, and the development of self-management tools.
‘Keep Turning the Page’ will showcase the work of almost 30 adult Art Journallers and 15 young people from the Creative Toolbox programme, sharing their personal journey with a wide audience, amplifying their voices and underlining the important relationship between creativity and mental health.
- 14-22 October, Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary (Atrium & OPD corridor exhibition space), DGRI, Cargenbridge, Dumfries
- Free to visit from 14th – 22nd October 2024
- If only visiting the exhibition, please attend 8am-6pm. The exhibition is viewable for patients, their visitors, and staff 24/7.
CROSSING BORDERS TO VISIBILITY
EXPLORING PRESENT EXPERIENCE AND PAST LIVES THROUGH CREATIVE HERITAGE
Join us for a captivating two-part event across the South of Scotland, where we delve into the rich creative legacies of Dingleton Hospital in Melrose and the Crichton Royal Institution in Dumfries.
Our expert panel will explore both personal and historical experiences from these iconic institutions, shedding light on their profound impact. We’ll also examine the evolving role of art in mental health treatment today, offering insights into its therapeutic power. Finally, we’ll discuss exciting future opportunities for cross-border collaboration, fostering innovation in the intersection of art and mental health care. Don’t miss this chance to engage in a meaningful dialogue!
- Melrose: Thursday 17th October, 2-4pm, Melrose Corn Exchange
- Over 18s only
- Free but ticketed
- Dumfries: Thursday 24th October, 2-4pm, Crichton Central
- Over 18s only
- Free but ticketed
SILENT MEN
FILM SCREENING AND Q&A
Part therapy, part road trip. In Ducan Cowles’ debut feature he embarks on a journey taking him all over the UK to ask men about their experiences of mental health, to confront and understand his own struggles of sharing his feelings with loved ones.
Silent Men is much need intervention to prompt questions and conversations around the taboo topic of mental health grounded in Cowles’ deadpan style and artistic flare. With post-film discussion.
- Wednesday 23rd October, 2pm, Robert Burns Film Theatre
- Over 18s only
- Free but ticketed
LAUNCH OF THE CREATIVE WELLBEING MANIFESTO
ONLINE LAUNCH
In August, OutPost Arts shared a draft Creative Wellbeing Manifesto to inspire, inform and positively disrupt the creative wellbeing conversation in our region, aiming to creatively interpret the Manifesto in new, exciting ways, encouraging audiences to engage with and form their own connections to its themes.
The sharing of the Manifesto was part of the event ‘DG Creative Wellbeing: Reflections & Exhibition’, took place at the Atrium in Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary, and as part of SMHAF 2024, we will share the final Manifesto with background information and evidence for each Manifesto theme.
There’s still time to share your feedback and your reflections regarding the draft themes before the launch in October – click here.
Find out more about the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and other events happening across Scotland.