News is accumulating quickly so I thought I’d better open the floodgates while I can.

The next confirmed regional exhibit of I Am More: Massachusetts will be at UMass Amherst! This was my first choice as a western MA location, and with the help of Dr. Corey Griffin, the Public Art Committee unanimously approved hosting the exhibit on campus. We looked at the most high-traffic areas for students, staff and faculty and we’re now finalizing the location for a late winter/early spring exhibit.

The NorthShore Mall exhibit has been extended! The mall has generously offered to continue hosting the exhibit which has brought lots of regional interest and some nice press coverage, including this recent piece in The Daily Item. 

I Am More is a featured exhibit in the National Museum of Mental Health Project!  I was not aware that mental health exhibits were becoming a movement until people starting sending me articles while I was working on I Am More. During that creative stage I didn’t read any of them, but now I’m grateful to know that there are places around the country where people can go to be educated and comforted through art. From the website:

“The National Museum of Mental Health Project researches the use of exhibits to transform society’s attitudes about, and understanding of, mental health.

The Project seeks to:

• Share research related to exhibits about mental health and wellness.

• Facilitate collaboration among artists, curators, exhibit designers, mental health professionals, people with lived experience, and others who seek to share knowledge.

• Inspire the development of a national museum of mental health that is a museum-without-walls. This may take the form of a new nonprofit entity, or emerge organically from vigorous collaboration and sharing of know-how.”

Co-founder Paul Piwko saw the Worcester exhibit of I Am More: Massachusetts and we had an enlightening conversation about the impact of these exhibits. There are some big-name museums, universities and hospitals on the list, but he said, hands-down, we are “the most frequently-traveled exhibition our research has uncovered.” Go Iain!  Here is our exhibit page featuring Emilia’s portrait and essay.

And finally, I took a field trip today to the Phoenix Academy in Lawrence, where the NAN Project founder Jake Cavanaugh and LA House founder Fernanda Lopez had introduced I Am More to the students there. Here is a breakdown of the student body:

It was my first time seeing their beautiful self portraits created on wood:

I don’t know if you’ve noticed a theme, but there are creative and dedicated souls out there quietly working to spread healing and awareness.

I Am More is supported by donations. To make a tax-deductible donation towards future portraits and exhibits please go to Ocean Alliance’s donation page and choose “I Am More” from the list of programs. Thank you for your support!!