Mental Health through Art: Together
Donation protected
Help keep the doors open at a unique open studio
serving the mental health community!
Every Tuesday and Thursday 6, or 12 or even 24 individuals from a community of nearly 100 artists gather in a shared studio, The Pandora Arts Collective (PACS). Some of us have years of experience and training in our art. Some are self-taught and many are just beginning a creative practice. We meet each week with a shared need for community, emotional support, and creative encouragement, seeking a sense of self-determination (as all artists do). In the PACS studio, we are all equals, sharing creative inspiration, studio technique, and life stories. Most of us are also living with mental health challenges that make self-determination, community, and emotional safety a daily struggle.
As its name suggests, The Pandora Arts Collective IS a collective, created and defined by the individuals that need it.
We are people with mental illness who have learned that making art in a supportive studio environment brings wellness, personal growth and chances to actively contribute to the cultural life of our city.
Collective member giving a workshop in the studio
Everyone is touched (through family, friends or individual experience) by disability or mental illness. We all seek respect, an opportunity to belong and contribute.
In these days of world leaders who have mocked people for their ability challenges, a creative response can be your support for the community of artists at The Pandora Arts Collective.
The doors of the PACS studio are opened each week by our facilitator, an artist with a BFA and art therapy training. Together, we lay out an array of art supplies, brew some coffee and settle in for a day’s work. Many artists are self-directed, pursuing series and projects from week to week. Sometime we share expertise when one of us gives a presentation. Sometimes an outside expert guides us to new techniques and ideas. There are two group shows annually where the collective of artists create the themes and do much of the organizing. PACS artists also go into the community as advocates for art and wellness as a tool for fighting stigma around mental illness.
Although PACS has survived for 10 years, funding an artists’ collective made up of individuals marginalized by physical and mental challenges is a constant worry. Currently we are facing financial uncertainty that could close the studio in the new year.
Drawing by Jaime
Grants from the health system want proof of results that would turn the studio into a clinical setting. Grants from the arts side want work designed to compete for gallery and critical attention. The PACS artists have discovered a sweet spot – ‘Art as Therapy’ that describes the climate and accomplishments of the studio they have created together. (PACS) has survived for 10 years because the collective knows that serious art-making and supportive community built from mutual respect for art, wellness and each other is essential. Finding that co-created balance is the philosophy behind the Pandora Arts Collective.
By: Madchina
Grants have been written. PACS artists have mounted shows and done very successful free community workshops to increase visibility. We know we are funded for the next few months. Beyond that, PACS survival depends on you.
Help a unique open studio serving the mental health community to continue!
Goal: $10,000
We are a Canadian registered charity and will be pleased to issue you a tax receipt for any donations over $20.00. When you make your very generous and much appreciated donation, please indicate that you would like a charitable receipt and include an email that we can use. It's that easy!
We are the Pandora Arts Collective
A Gallery of PACS artists
By: Sue
By: Devorah
By: Random
Thanks for viewing some of our work!
&
Thank You for Supporting
The Pandora Arts Collective
a unique open studio serving
the mental health community to continue!
Goal: $10,000
We are a Canadian registered charity and will be pleased to issue you a tax receipt for any donations over $20.00. When you make your very generous and much appreciated donation, please indicate that you would like a charitable receipt and include an email that we can use. It's that easy!
serving the mental health community!
Every Tuesday and Thursday 6, or 12 or even 24 individuals from a community of nearly 100 artists gather in a shared studio, The Pandora Arts Collective (PACS). Some of us have years of experience and training in our art. Some are self-taught and many are just beginning a creative practice. We meet each week with a shared need for community, emotional support, and creative encouragement, seeking a sense of self-determination (as all artists do). In the PACS studio, we are all equals, sharing creative inspiration, studio technique, and life stories. Most of us are also living with mental health challenges that make self-determination, community, and emotional safety a daily struggle.
As its name suggests, The Pandora Arts Collective IS a collective, created and defined by the individuals that need it.
We are people with mental illness who have learned that making art in a supportive studio environment brings wellness, personal growth and chances to actively contribute to the cultural life of our city.
Collective member giving a workshop in the studioEveryone is touched (through family, friends or individual experience) by disability or mental illness. We all seek respect, an opportunity to belong and contribute.
In these days of world leaders who have mocked people for their ability challenges, a creative response can be your support for the community of artists at The Pandora Arts Collective.
The doors of the PACS studio are opened each week by our facilitator, an artist with a BFA and art therapy training. Together, we lay out an array of art supplies, brew some coffee and settle in for a day’s work. Many artists are self-directed, pursuing series and projects from week to week. Sometime we share expertise when one of us gives a presentation. Sometimes an outside expert guides us to new techniques and ideas. There are two group shows annually where the collective of artists create the themes and do much of the organizing. PACS artists also go into the community as advocates for art and wellness as a tool for fighting stigma around mental illness.
Although PACS has survived for 10 years, funding an artists’ collective made up of individuals marginalized by physical and mental challenges is a constant worry. Currently we are facing financial uncertainty that could close the studio in the new year.
Drawing by JaimeGrants from the health system want proof of results that would turn the studio into a clinical setting. Grants from the arts side want work designed to compete for gallery and critical attention. The PACS artists have discovered a sweet spot – ‘Art as Therapy’ that describes the climate and accomplishments of the studio they have created together. (PACS) has survived for 10 years because the collective knows that serious art-making and supportive community built from mutual respect for art, wellness and each other is essential. Finding that co-created balance is the philosophy behind the Pandora Arts Collective.
By: MadchinaGrants have been written. PACS artists have mounted shows and done very successful free community workshops to increase visibility. We know we are funded for the next few months. Beyond that, PACS survival depends on you.
Help a unique open studio serving the mental health community to continue!
Goal: $10,000
We are a Canadian registered charity and will be pleased to issue you a tax receipt for any donations over $20.00. When you make your very generous and much appreciated donation, please indicate that you would like a charitable receipt and include an email that we can use. It's that easy!
We are the Pandora Arts Collective
A Gallery of PACS artists
By: Sue By: Devorah By: RandomThanks for viewing some of our work!
&
Thank You for Supporting
The Pandora Arts Collective
a unique open studio serving
the mental health community to continue!
Goal: $10,000
We are a Canadian registered charity and will be pleased to issue you a tax receipt for any donations over $20.00. When you make your very generous and much appreciated donation, please indicate that you would like a charitable receipt and include an email that we can use. It's that easy!
Organizer
Mike Emme
Organizer
Victoria, BC
