This week we returned to Andover High School for a public viewing of the I Am More exhibition in the library and there were a few surprises!

We were greeted by lovely signs directing our way through the school…

Next we were greeted by Health Educator Holly Breen and Ambassadors from The Yellow Tulip Project who do their own mental health awareness magic at Andover High.

A received a warm and exuberant hug from the wonderful Heather, who made the trip with her mom. Heather is at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester training to be a mechanic and she had fun talking boat engines with Iain. She said Calypso the cat said hi:

I spotted Pam and her husband Dana, along with her sister and a friend, and she told me her running mileage is about to go way up as the Ottawa Marathon approaches:

The biggest surprise came next when I spotted Seth! I haven’t seen him since we worked on his portrait in 2017 and it was his first time seeing everything in person. He was Pam’s original inspiration for sharing her story, and fittingly their portraits are side by side. He’s pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at Salem State and is now well-versed in the world of mental health treatment and recovery, and he’s doing stand-up comedy in the city!

So subjects met subjects, subjects met students, teachers met subjects, and out of those conversations Pam was inspired to share with me her idea of having a panel of portrait subject speakers at the exhibitions to answer audience questions, and call it “The Voices of I Am More.” I had goosebumps when she told me, so we will be meeting about that soon!

Holly shared with me an assignment she gave her Health students, and some of the answers she received:

Question: What is one piece of art that spoke to you and why?

Answer: The one of “Donna with crystal” really intrigued me. Her face seemed so calm and serene in the picture but after reading her statement I realized that she had been through so much trauma that no one should ever have to experience. She also reminded me a lot of my grandmothers and aunts. And the lighter colors make her seem almost angelic.

Question: If you could speak to one of the portrait subjects what would you say to them?

Answer: I would tell Aiden that he is seen and that by giving his statement it is helping others feel seen . That he is communicating that he is not the only one and he is very brave (especially SA on both men and children)

Question: If one of the portrait subjects was your friend what could you do to support/help them?

Answer: For Autumn, I would be the world’s biggest, most supportive, most outspoken ally and I wouldn’t let anyone make them feel badly.

It was a much needed evening for many reasons and I’m grateful to Holly, her colleagues and her students for making it happen.