Art raises profile

By Shaun Inguanzo
PEOPLE battling mental illness in Dandenong are producing some of the finest artwork in the city.
The Eastern Regions Mental Health Association (ERMHA) each Friday runs informal Aspirations art sessions in Dandenong at which its clients can drop-in, or stay the day, and paint, sketch and draw their way to a masterpiece.
And the results are beyond belief.
To celebrate the work of its participants, ERMHA is holding an art exhibition at Berwick’s Old Cheese Factory on 3 and 4 October.
Art mentor Artur Lyczba said he allowed participants to explore whatever medium they wished to, and that instead of teaching, he preferred to be ‘on-call’ to help them overcome any creative hurdles.
Mr Lyczba, a professional artist for 25 years, said the quality of works produced at the Aspirations sessions was comparable to what many would find in a city art gallery.
“The works could easily fit into the art scene, as they are very good,” he said.
“The question is, how do you promote the work?”
The exhibition is the first step towards answering Mr Lyczba’s questions, and Aspirations program support worker Nikole Charlton encouraged residents to visit the art exhibition in October.
Ms Charlton said any support would help increase the profile of mental health and therefore the government support for similar or new programs.
“Mental health in general is underfunded,” she said.
“We (ERMHA) do the best job we possibly can to provide services.”
The Aspirations art program has been running for seven years and is based at a modified house next to ERMHA’s head office in Robinson Street.
It is part of the organisation’s psychosocial rehabilitation strategy for clients.
ERMHA is the south-east region’s largest mental health services provider, and is a not-for-profit organisation.
For more information, contact ERMHA on 9706 7388.