One in four adults lives with some form of mental illness, yet this common affliction often remains hidden behind a wall of secrecy and isolation. Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art breaks down societal stigmas and offers an opportunity to encounter and understand mental health through the lens of contemporary craft.

The exhibition explores the impact that mental illness is having on society, and the role the arts can play to both encourage positive self-expression and guide effective mental health promotion and treatment. The exhibition examines creative responses to mental disorders through the inclusion of artworks made by artists who have been diagnosed with or affected by mental illness. The show highlights a variety of techniques and forms that include innovative art expressions rooted in traditional craft materials, as well as art that explores unexpected relationships between craft and painting, sculpture, conceptual, and installation art.

Educational programming, including lectures, workshops, and a curriculum guide for schools, will give visitors an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of mental health.