SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Mental Health Arts Festival has begun in Santa Barbara after a 2-year hiatus.
The rhythmic sound of drums echoed throughout De la Guerra Plaza as tourists and locals browsed the vast collection of paintings, jewelry and sculptures.
Art has helped many creatives like Taylor Meijer cope with the mental health issues they faced during the pandemic.
“We’ve been locked up for almost 2 years, so we might as well do some art,” said artist Taylor Meijer
“Art is such an integral part of mental health and mental health. And I think it really shows here today. You can kind of see how these people can really express how they feel and how they look at life through their artwork,” said Mental Wellness Center representative Sophie Pelletier.
Musicians like Vicente Garcia have shared with us the impact music has had on his mental health.
“Music allows us to be in the present moment. When we are anxious, when we are depressed, we are not in the present moment. Either we live in the future or we live in the memories of the past. But what music does is it helps us to be here right now in the present moment,” said Vicente.
Vicente is not the only person who finds artistic expression therapeutic. Local artist Samantha Martinez shared her struggles with self-harm and how art helped her find an outlet for her mental health.
“Themes of anatomy, mental turmoil, everything that goes on in your head. I like to put it on paper and just be realistic with what I feel inside, said Samantha Martinez.
