Art and wellness came together this past weekend at The Islip Arts Council gallery, located at the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., people of all ages were invited to learn about various mental wellness resources, participate in art-related activities, and explore the “Mental Health Project: Let it Flow” student art exhibit.

Tabling directly outside the art gallery were numerous organizations and local businesses, which included the Association for Mental Health and Wellness, Blessings in a Backpack, Long Island Families Together, SMILE, Positive Community Connections,

Orion Mauro, YES, Little Flower Family Services, Northwell South Shore University Hospital, Chris Coluccio Foundation Scouting Pack 272, Troop 2720, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Each organization provided informational flyers and pamphlets.

The Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives was established to break mental health stigma, raise awareness, and increase access to prevention and early treatment resources.

The Mental wellness fair is part of an overall mental health awareness initiative by Rotary District 7255 in coordination with the Islip Arts Council. The initiative included inviting students from all across Long Island to create a piece of art that represents the motto “Let it Flow.” Student artists were encouraged to use their artwork as a way to let their emotions flow.

Event organizer Joseph Beauchamp works with businesses to develop leadership. He shared how part of that involves what Beauchamp calls “emotional fitness.” Artistic expression in any form is a tool for dealing with emotions.

“Artistic expression helps us to boost our emotional well-being; that’s what the initiative is about,” Beauchamp said. He shared that his favorite way to express his emotions artistically is through sculptures.

It is no secret that students of all ages experience a range of emotions, often for the first time. Naturally, these feelings can be overwhelming and hard to talk about. Students throughout Long Island channeled these emotions through their artwork. What started as a poster contest quickly developed into an art show in a span of six weeks.

According to SMILE support broker and event organizer Ann Pizano, choosing which artwork to display was no easy feat. One hundred students from Sachem High School alone submitted entries. 

Pizano said, “We laid all the artwork out on the floor, and we each picked out our favorite three. Then, from that selection, we narrowed it down even more.”

On April 10, the Islip Arts Council hosted the exhibit’s opening reception, during which the student artwork was displayed for the first time. Winners received a certificate of recognition and cash prizes.

First-place winner was Jasmeen Kaur, a senior at Hicksville High School. Her painting shows a woman in profile with calm features and red lips. Her hair is made up of colorful flowers in shades of blue, red, green, yellow, and purple. She wears a black earring that says, “LET IT FLOW.” The background is a soft blend of white and teal, which makes the flowers and her golden skin stand out.