Let’s explore the intersections of disability, mental health, and artful practice. Hear from folks in these communities, engage in conversations and artmaking, and participate in the open mic if you’d like!

Friday, May 14th, 2021
5:00 – 7:00pm CDT
On Zoom (You will receive the Zoom link and call-in numbers before the event)

Access information: This event provides ASL interpretation and CART services. Contact Anna Olson, aolson2@saic.edu, with any other requests as soon as possible.

Schedule:
5:00-5:20pm – Welcome, introductions
5:20-6:10pm – Presentations by Washieka Torres and Sky Cubacub (bios coming soon!)
6:10-6:35 – Art activity
6:35-7:00pm – Open mic, conclusion

Hosts:
Anna Olson (DCAL) aolson2@saic.edu
Charles Torpe (NAMI) torpe@namimetsub.org

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This event is brought to you by Access Living, NAMI Metro Suburban, and the Disability Culture Activism Lab (DCAL).

Access Living is a center of service, advocacy, and social change for people with disabilities led and run by people with disabilities. We ignite disability power and pride, provide critical services, and break down systemic barriers to create a stronger, more inclusive society. We envision a world free from barriers and discrimination – where disability is a respected and natural part of the human experience and people with disabilities are included and valued.

NAMI Metro Suburban improves the lives of individuals, families and communities affected by mental illness by providing education, support and advocacy FREE OF CHARGE in the western suburbs of Cook County. The Drop-In Center is for adults 18 years and over that live with a mental health condition. It provides a safe, stigma-free place for participants to socialize and find new recovery skills and tools. The Drop-In Center’s Club House Model is a comprehensive program of support and opportunities. It is not a traditional mental health agency as there are no therapists or psychiatrists on staff. Rather, the program includes elements of small group work, peer support, socialization activities, life skill building, and evidence-based job placement strategies.

DCAL is housed under the Department of Art Therapy and Counseling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. DCAL is a platform for creative advocacy projects and disability allyship training. In partnership with Access Living’s Arts and Culture Project, DCAL provides teaching and hands-on learning guided by disability justice — a framework that examines disability in connection to other forms of oppressions and identities. Using a peer support and collective care model, disability community members and art therapy graduate students collaborate as disability culture makers for social change.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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Image description: A multicolored, patterned, scribbly doodle made with markers, crayons, and pens on a white background overlaid by black underlined text that says “Open Mic: Disability+Art”