Divulge: Second National Exhibition Featuring the Use of Art for Therapy & Mental Health Awareness

Divulge features both 2D and 3D artworks from across the country of all mediums that highlight/depict self expression, are created in art therapy, and/or raises awareness of mental health.

Art has been used as a means of communication, self-expression, group interaction, diagnosis, and conflict resolution throughout history. Through art, both people and artists can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The establishment of art therapy as a unique and publicly accepted therapeutic approach only took place recently, in the mid-20th century.

This is a juried exhibition, and was co-curated by Gallery Manager and Center Curator, Amanda Bradley, and exhibition juror and artist Matthew Bernier.

The call reached 28 states. 80 artists submitted for a total of 295 submissions. The juror and center curator selected 62 pieces from 46 artists from 21 states!

Matthew Bernier, MCAT, ATR-BC is a board-certified art therapist, visual artist, teaching artist, puppeteer, and Associate Professor in the Graduate Art Therapy and Counseling Program at Eastern Virginia Medical School where he has taught since 1990. He has lifelong experience in visual arts, puppetry, dance, music, and theatre arts. He has lectured and taught workshops and courses on therapeutic puppetry internationally. He has a master’s degree in creative arts in therapy and is pursuing a PhD in expressive arts therapy and social change at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. He is the originator of the Desistance Theatre Project for ex-offenders in the community. His personal artwork includes puppetry, masks, collage, and found objects constructions.