Imagine

It has been some three years now since Imagine, the mental health charity (click on their logo on the left to go to their site and learn more), held its last Arts Exhibition at our old, smaller gallery. Now they have taken both the Sculpture and the Picture galleries and the exhibition includes not only visual art but a number of workshops running throughout the two weeks that will include Drama, crafts, music and poetry with a performance by the 'I choir' on Thursday 23rd October.

Imagine have invited anyone affected, either directly or indirectly, by mental health issues to enter work into this year's exhibition which has over 140 exhibits. This could include anyone from past or present mental health service users, to carers, friends, family, colleagues, mental health staff etc. Many people experience some issues with their mental health from time to time; indeed, NIMHE (National Institute for Mental Health in England) has estimated that 1 in 4 people experience some form of mental distress in any one year, so we have entries from a diverse range of people with varying experiences.

In this, Liverpool's 2008 European Capital of Culture year, Imagine aim to raise awareness and promote a positive image of mental health issues, by presenting an exhibition of work that will surprise and challenge expectations, as well as showcasing the talent and creativity that exist w ithin the community.

The Exhibition is open from the 14th to the 23rd October, 12am til 4pm Monday to Friday.

Below are images of some of the paintings, just click on the image to see them full size in our viewer:-