News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Nov. 30, 2009

Health center hosts art exhibit by clients with chronic illness

Given a chance to craft a mask depicting her inner self, Birch Bay resident Wanda Waters painted hers with four parts.

One part is dark, for her fears, anger and depression.

One part presents her independent, spiritual and energetic side.

A third focuses on the strength to keep moving ahead in life.

The fourth deals with communication, including her muteness after experiencing physical and emotional trauma.

The art exercise was part of Waters' treatment with counselors at the Interfaith Community Health Center, in Bellingham.

"You had to think about who you are, how people see you," she said. "I went with 'Who am I?'"

Waters' mask, along with artwork by other clients at the center, will be on public display starting Friday, Dec. 4, at the first "Living with Chronic Illness" exhibit.

The health center serves low-income people with medical and mental problems. Some clients already did art on their own; others create art as part of their therapy.

Cindy Paffumi, the center's community mental health coordinator, said staff members discussed the idea of an exhibit of clients' artwork, and circulated the idea in-house.

"The patients are very excited about being able to express their work," she said.

Paffumi said a clinic she once worked at in Mount Vernon held a similar exhibit with its clients.

"It was just amazing to see the transformation of how they felt, at least for one day," she said. "It really does improve their self-esteem and their confidence."

A tenet of art therapy is that drawing, sculpting and other creative work can help traumatized people express themselves, increase their self-awareness, and heal their emotional scars.

About two dozen works, maybe more, will be on display at the health center, including drawings, photographs, masks and a poem, Paffumi said.

Some of the artists prefer to remain anonymous, but some might attend the exhibit and talk to the public. All are being asked to submit a short paragraph about how their art represents their experience dealing with chronic physical or mental pain.

"Their stories will make you cry," Paffumi said.

In addition, staff members from the health center will sing and play music at the grand opening and the reception.

The art won't be up for sale Friday or Saturday, but people can contact an artist later if they are interested in buying something.

"Some of the pieces are just incredible," Paffumi said.

Waters, 52, said she initially was a bit scared at the idea of showing her art in public.

"But that's part of moving on," she said. "I'm seeing it as a test and a challenge, to move on."

IF YOU GO

What: "Living with Chronic Illness," an art exhibit by clients of Interfaith Community Health Center.

When: Grand opening is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, as part of the monthly Downtown Art Walk. A reception will follow at noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The exhibit will remain on display at the clinic through December from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Where: 220 Unity St.

Details: 676-6177.