TRAVERSE CITY — All art is subjective, especially when it deals with important subjects.
More than 100 artists participated in Munson Healthcare’s second annual Voices for Youth Mental Health Art Contest. The top winners in three different age groups following public voting were announced late last month after more than 300 votes on the submissions.
Two of the nine prize winners included an Old Mission Peninsula mother and daughter Kristy and Clementine Kurjan.
An abstract artist and the mother of three, Kristy Kurjan asked her 7-year-old daughter if she wanted to enter the contest and it turned into a project with an even deeper meaning.
“I love local art, supporting local art and participating in that,” said Kurjan, who has larger abstract art for sale at local stores like Haven in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons and Mission Proper. “I’m a huge advocate for mental health, but more than that I’m an intuitive abstract artist. A lot of what I do with art is expressing emotion and expressing yourself on canvas.
“We created art together and took that time to talk about mental health and self care. We talked about how you can use art to express your emotions.”
“I like art and doing it with my mom,” said the younger Kurjan, a second grader who goes by Clem. “I like expressing myself.”
Clem Kurjan took first place among children age 12 and younger with “Abstract Mind.” She used acrylic paint as her medium and her winning entry was described as: “Youth mental health can be beautiful, messy, layered, colored, evolving, delicate, and strong. It is important to empower artist both young and old to explore and appreciate their gifts of self-expression through creating.”
Kristy Kurjan claimed second place for adults with “Young Mother.”
“I applaud Munson for putting this on and spreading the message of youth mental health,” said Kristy Kurjan. “All mental health is important, but youth especially.”
“It’s really important because it helps you,” Clem Kurjan said of the importance of mental health.
The goal of the contest “centers on Munson’s commitment to help support youth across northern Michigan who may be experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges,” according to the organization’ press statement.
In addition to prizes — which Clem Kurjan used to purchase a gymnastics mat — the winners’ pieces will be displayed inside the new Grand Traverse Mental Wellness Center set to open next year. The center is a collaboration between Munson Healthcare, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, Grand Traverse County and other partners within the community.
“Munson Healthcare congratulates all winners and participants for their incredibly brave and inspiring submissions,” Munson Healthcare Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Megan Brown said in a release.
“Our healthcare system remains committed to taking action, through expanding mental health resources across our region, championing dialogue to help fight the stigma surrounding mental illness and advocating for people of all ages who struggle with mental health.”
Allison Clarke won first place for adults with “The Girl in the Bottle.” Clarke’s “The Girl in the Bottle” was a digital entry “inspired by different feelings of depression, such as, feeling trapped, hopeless, isolated, stuck, helpless, tired, etc. I feel like this artwork encapsulates that by having the girl be stuck in the bottle where she is essentially drowning in all these feelings with no way to escape them.”
Scarlett S. was the top vote getter for youth ages 13-17 with “Happy Forgotten Birthday!” with an entry meant to wish a “happy birthday to any of the forgotten ones out there.”
All of the submissions and can be seen at http://voicesforcommunityhealth.org/gallery.
“We believe that art has the power to heal, educate and inspire,” the website said. “This gallery stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of individuals who have bravely navigated the complexities of mental health.”
“It was cool to see different takes on mental health,” Kristy Kurjan said. “I was very impressed. (‘The Girl in the Bottle’) was a beautiful piece. I was impressed with all of the entries.”
“The response to the call for submissions had been absolutely, positively overwhelming with amazing, creative works of art across all ages that communicate so many unique perspectives on youth mental health,” System Director of Community Health and Engagement Christi Nowak said in a release.
More information on area mental health resources is available at voicesforcommunityhealth.org.