The youth and facilitators of Crafts for Mental Health are hosting a Youth Art Show Aug. 26. The event takes place 12-3 p.m. at the Place des Arts building at 27 Larch St.
The event will showcase artwork created by more than 50 youth. Crafts for Mental Health is a free summer program co-ordinated by the Afro Women And Youth Foundation in collaboration with the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre, funded through the Arts and Culture grant of the City of Greater Sudbury.
Over the course of four Saturday three-hour workshops, young artists aged nine to 16 came together and learned how to seek, find, and utilize resources related to mental health, workplaces and support.
They met with talented local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) artists who facilitated each session.
The sessions focused on African beadwork, poetry, sewing, painting, tie-dye and makeup.
“I have continued to use sewing and craft as coping tools to help promote mental health and wellness for young people in the community,” said Raliat Owolabi, facilitator of the bonnet sewing session on Aug. 6 and co-ordinator of “The Bridge Program,” an academic and career mentorship support for Black post-secondary school students.
During each session, facilitators were able to celebrate the incredible artistic talents of many youths living in Sudbury, teach them new skills, and prepare them for challenges in and out of the workplace.
“I learned about gig work and working online, we also signed petitions,” shared one young participant, referring to the Sudbury Workers’ Centre Status for All and migrant rights campaigns.
