The focus of this podcast is our Art of Addiction Exhibit . The first guest is Artist Kate Hammer of Roseau. She spoke about her pottery or ceramics and the NWMAC exhibit Art of Addiction that is currently open at our gallery at NCTC. The bulk of the exhibit features Kate’s works on the topic of addiction. Here's a video tour of the exhibit:  https://youtu.be/QMU-LXZzkEc. Watch the video to see all of the pieces of art in this exhibit. Kate sells her work at art shows. Her work in the exhibit includes vases, platters, postcards, tiles, acrylic paintings, and more. Some of these works are for sale.

The second guest is Mike Anderson. Mike manages the Northwestern Apartments transitional living facility in Crookston. Residents at NW Apartments created artwork for the Art of Addiction exhibit — 9 12 x12 canvas paintings are included in the exhibit that were created in a workshop with the residents. Earlier Mike stated, “For those who have struggled with mental health and substance use problems in their life, recovery is a sometimes long and arduous path. Often it can literally be a life and death struggle. Residents of the Northwestern Apartments (NWA) transitional living facility know that struggle intimately. Many residents come to NWA from inpatient mental health facilities, homeless shelters, substance use programs, and incarceration. Criteria for admission is to have a serious mental illness, and about 3/4 of residents also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. But whether it is stabilizing mental health symptoms, or the daily challenge to stay clean and sober, recovery is the goal of all. Inclusion in this art therapy project, The Art of Addiction, was a great way for residents to “go deeper.” After an initial session with local artist Trey Everett, the residents engaged with supplies and canvas to work on their own creation, with the general theme of addiction and recovery as a guide. Residents spent a week with their art. Many did several art pieces. Some were unable to finish one. Others felt their art was too personal to put on display. The project was captivating – residents were in the community room, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups, at all times of the day and night, working on their art, talking, and healing. One of the keys to recovery is connection, and this project provided that in addition to a personal and therapeutic experience that helped all involved on their healing path.”

Listen to the podcast to learn more!