connection at the intersection of art & mental health
Event Schedule
7:00 PM | doors open
Experience the visual art exhibit and place your bids, visit mental health and wellness vendors, and grab your food and drinks (& merch!)
“echoes of vitality” exhibition presented in collaboration with 2W0 Unit
The true essence of tonight’s exhibition lies in its celebration of shared experience. Through facilitated discussions, whispers of hues, collective thoughts, and collections of performances, participants are empowered through the choice to share their narratives and insights. It's a space where vulnerability is embraced, blurring the lines between creator and observer, and fostering a profound sense of solidarity. @2wounit
7:30 PM | special opening performance by J Rees (they/them)
J Rees is the queer swamp bard, here to sing the stories. The non-binary mage hails from the crossroads of Hammond, Louisiana, and is a proud vocal advocate for those living with mental illness. Diagnosed at an early age, the bard is no stranger to the intense reality of an unwell mind. This imaginative force of nature is a professional musician, writer, and artist with over a decade of performance experience under their belt, Utilizing the power of the creative process to alchemize their lived reality of mental illness, they hope to inspire others to embrace the unbound potential of creativity as a tool for the healing journey.
7:45 PM | welcome Chelsea Borruano (she/her), YAAP Founder & Executive Director
8:00 PM | performances presented by host & Drag Queen Extraordinaire Laveau Contraire (she/her)
From New Orleans, Louisiana, Laveau has been putting audiences under her spell since 2015, and strives to bring magic and wonder to all of her artistic endeavors. Shortly after starting her drag journey, Laveau was crowned the winner of Tumblr’s Drag Race Cycle 7 and hosted and produced Cycle 8. Since then, Laveau has expanded her artistry to include hosting, producing, live singing, original music, celebrity impersonations, improv, drag mothering, drag wrestling, and is always looking to expand her horizons. Laveau is passionate about making drag accessible to audiences of all ages and often participates in Drag Queen Storytime events throughout the city. She was also recently awarded the title of “Best Drag Queen” by the community at the 2020 FLAME Magazine Awards, and Gambit’s 40 under 40 Class of 2021. She was featured on Season 1 of Peacock’s Queer as Folk and is a producer and star of the documentary “To Decadence with Love, Thanks for Everything” on STARZ. She was recently crowned the first ever Miss New Orleans Comedy Queen in 2024. Known for her non-stop shenanigans, this witch is sure to bring down the house.
performances by:
Chelsea Borruano (she/her) | enough. this one is for all of us who have been hurt by someone else’s pain. who have had the egos and insecurities of men dictate our self worth. enough is enough. my existence is my value and there is not a damn person who can take that from me. @alongthegravelroad
Luisa (she/her) | Steps of Resilience: Dancing Through Motherhood's Highs and Lows Through emotive choreography, this dance performance delves into the journey of motherhood, capturing both its soaring highs and daunting lows. From tender moments of maternal bliss to the overwhelming weight of postpartum anxiety, Luisa portrays the spectrum of emotions experienced by mothers, showcasing the resilience and strength required to nurture new life amidst the challenges of early motherhood.
sora (any/all pronouns) | VOL.24 is sora's second full-length album, originally started as a single-a-month release project. With twenty-four tracks on the album, sora explores a wide range of sounds and concepts, striving to express his feelings and wishes and being the queer Asian representation he didn't have growing up. This VOL.24 showcase features some of the tracks from the album (Reflection, futr, Dance Single) @soracalling
Terrezze Williams (she/her) Grief Healer Honoring movement as medicine and giving thanks/appreciation to her ancestors. This piece is about grief and healing. Grieving a loved one, old friendships, old self-identities, and so on. It is okay to heal and move slowly to process loss. We need hope and nurture to heal. Dance is a form of healing and expression. Continuation of Inner Child performed in 2019 at Art Council's Annual Report Program. @theterrezewilliams
The True Mission Matters “TMM” Project | Louisiana’s premier performing Arts in Education collective based out of the Acadiana area on a mission to empower today's youth by encouraging self-expression and creativity through the arts. Founded and led by Terrance Michael Morgan, their collective of talented local artists have reached 750,000+ students traveling across the state performing their interactive programs that feature a live Dj and saxophonist creatively combining upbeat musical instruments; such as the bass drum, cajun drum and tongue drum; with unique street dance styles such as waving, breaking, house and step-dancing to inspire children to explore their creativity and talent, fostering a sense of confidence and enthusiasm for artistic expression. @the_tmmproject
Roedel et Alia featuring Jeffrey Roedel (he/him) accompanied by Norbert Redmond (he/him) | Three spoken word poems each addressing different aspects of mental health. They are ruminations on loneliness, encouragement and connection. Read in sequence, and with the gentle atmosphere of electric guitar accompaniment, their hope is that these pieces are relevant, thought-provoking and uplifting for the audience. Performed in order: "The Most Unlikely Recipients of the Sun" is about Encouragement, "Sudden Moves" depicts Loneliness, and finally "Love in All Directions" evokes Connection @roedeletalia
J Rees (they/them) Welcome back J Rees to the stage premiering a condensed version of their newest electronic set. Mage! is the voice inside us all, begging us to connect more and love deeper. @jbyrnerees
Laveau Contraire (she/her) takes back the stage for a special spell-bounding performance✨ @laveaucontraire
9:00 PM | auction ends
9:15 PM | echo sessions moderated panel discussion with participating artists
Moderated by 2WO Unit Co-founder McCaala ‘MC’ Nelson
In this live interview segment, the artist's presence transforms the session into a emotional exploration, moving beyond mere connection to delve into their broader experience with mental health, wellness, and artistic expression. Beginning with the question "What brings you here today?" we'll bridge the mental health journey with the liberation found in artistic expression.
Visual Artists
The Weight We Carry
Acrylic on canvas, 48"x48"
There is a burdening of invisible weight that each of us carry. Like a two ton ghost on our shoulders, our personal stories and struggles accumulate and build upon our backs, following us through our waking lives. Bearing the immense weight of the human experience, we do our best to keep and build our strength, digging our heels in, so as not to lose our footing. This painting “The Weight We Carry” was made to incapsulate the duality of persevering through the heaviness, while simultaneously holding space for it.
Alexis Phillips
alexismakesart@gmail.com
@alexisvisions
Back To Love Collection
Collection of 12 jewelry pieces
inspired by my experience with burnout and my recovery. I’ve been experiencing burnout out for awhile now. Since fall of 2022. After a prolonged battle with burnout I could feel myself heading for the surface of depression, a place I said I’m not going back to again. I asked God to reveal the cause of my constant burnout and heal me. In summary he told me to get back to what I love. I had spent too much time away from what I love because I was time doing things I didn’t love. I was completely empty with nothing to give. This collection is the 1st collection I’ve created since 2022. Each piece is symbolic of enjoyment, love, symptoms of burnout, hope, dreams, and faith and tangible forms of prayers that I’ve prayed. Working on this collection is apart of my active recovery process.
Barbara Lockhart
contact@iambarbaralockhart.com iambarbaralockhart.com
Sunshine after the rain
24"x36"
My uncle died by suicide 2 years ago and it was devastating and I wish he would have spoken to us so that we could try to help him and let him know that no matter how much pain and how hard it is, there will be sunshine.
Casey Domingue dominguedoesit@gmail.com
(225) 910-4825
Light breaks free
9"x12"
This was inspired by the freeing thought of I create my happiness. For so long I sought happiness everywhere but within myself. During a difficult time of my life, this realization hit me and shortly after I made changes in my life based on what I wanted. My entire life changed shortly after.
Donna Easterling @serependipitous_muse
Frame Of Mind
12"x12"
The artworks in this series were created to foster a new frame of mind for the viewer. Created by utilizing original photographs, digital design, and custom designed fonts.
Elle.Mouton
@Elle.Mouton
elle@ellemnop.art
Beauty for Ashes
18"x24"
According to Isaiah 61:3, God promises to give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. There is beauty waiting to be uncovered beneath all the darkness, pain, and struggles you face. Keep hoping, keep going, keep healing, keep living.
Tyquencia Vessel
divinelyinspired-creations.myshopify.com
Mindscape Metamorphosis
11x14, framed (series of 3)
My three-piece series entitled “Mindscape Metamorphosis” focuses on the journey of going from the darkest and turbulent times of one’s mind to reaching a sense of freedom and renewal.
Trapped in Thought serves as the starting point of the series, depicting the tumultuous and often overwhelming experience of being trapped in one’s own thoughts. The crisscrossing of arms symbolize the tangled and entangled nature of mental health challenges, portraying the internal struggle of feeling confined and overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts and emotions.
Seeking Liberation the narrative shifts towards a journey of transformation and renewal as the hands begin to break free from the entanglement and reach towards light. The transition aims to signify the shift from confinement to hope, symbolizing the desire for escape and peace.
Radiant Resurgence serves as the culmination of the series, aiming to portray a sense of rebirth and regeneration as the opportunity for a fresh start is fully embraced. The hands take center stage weaving a spiraling universe being born symbolizing hope and possibility, inviting the viewer to celebrate the journey of renewal and transformation, inspiring hope and courage in the face of life’s challenges.
Justin Solomon
@Trillovative
justinrsolomon.wixsite.com/artofjsolomon
Abstract Evolution
5"x7" - 19"x13"
These abstract works were created during a time of keeping family members connected while facing life changing circumstances.
Nathaniel Landry thecreatives@ellemnop.art
(225) 364.9246
Life Stages as Seen by Me and My Ancestors
paper collage on reclaimed cedar wood measuring 6.5 Wide x 10.5 High x .25 Deep (series of 3)
Image 1: Legacy of abuse.
I come from country roots, dried out and seemingly useless, yet reminding me of the depravity of my heritage. At birth I was closest in time to the late 1800s and early 1900s when my grandparents and parents were born -- a time when local forests of Louisiana cypress and oak and pine were felled to create both the frameworks and interiors of my families’ housing. It witnessed horrors and pain and grief, under vast country skies. Through my ancestors, this image tells me now: Don’t be afraid of grief. Remember the joy in the sky and the value of antiquity. See if you can integrate.
Image 2: The aftermath.
Me, trying to live life with head-up outwardly beautiful, smart, and sure. But my true self always in the background to those country roots growing now into my scrambled brain and manifesting the neurological damage of infant trauma. Vague memories of the assault, then the abandonment and now mostly the lingering, abiding distrust. Always in the background to the blockage in my throat, to the pain in my heart. Through my ancestors, this image tells me now: Love yourself, love your scrambled brain, love your small voice, love the break in your heart. Hold your head high and remember the lush green grass and the view from the hill top.
Image 3: And now.
The vulture remains. But sits peacefully among trees, sunlight, and wildlife. Centered, still processing but somewhat satisfied with life, more integrated. Through my ancestors, this image tells me now: Be reminded of playful love, the happiness of birds, the comfort of trees, and the sunlight flickering across the edges of leaves. It’s OK to relax. You’ve done good work. Feel our love.
Rosalie Torres
rosalie@neworleans-green.com neworleans-green.com
Flora Fern
19 in L x 9.5 in W, 10 lbs
This piece captures the beauty of a meadow. So sweet and calm. With a world full of distraction and confusion, we must not forget the simplicity of being. Taking a moment out of our day to sit and breathe, as we were in a meadow.
Aubin Brian
thelostluna.com
Blue Morpho
22.5 in L x 16.5 in W, 8lbs
This piece shows the dark and beauty of death. With competing bold colors it represents the struggle to live as much as possible before your last day even. You must strive have a bold and meaningful life before your time comes.
Aubin Brian
thelostluna.com
Luna
18 in L x 12in W, 5 lbs
As a creature of the night, Luna is rarely seen for her beauty. Still, she captures hidden beauty even in the darkness. Her glow is a reminder to always shine, even if it's just for a second.
Aubin Brian
thelostluna.com
Self Destruction (Beautiful Chaotic Masterpiece)
Framed photography, 11"x14"
(3 piece series)
My inspiration behind the these piece is looking at my faith and how Jean Basquiat models his creavitiy and fuse it with my own. Self-destruction is about being overwhelmed by everything life has thrown at you and you can’t find a way out. When it comes to being overwhelmed, "Who can you talk to in your time of need?" A lot of people self-destruct in silence because that's all they have when the voice inside their head speaks of madness.
Antione Lacey
(225) 810-8611 visionaryblessings@gmail.com
Disclosure
24"x18"
In my head, it is never quiet. A jumbled mess. Chaos. An ongoing conversation that only I can hear. Internal. A heaviness I can feel, like weights tied around my ankles. Although, when I look down they aren’t there. Intangible. A roller coaster gone rogue. At the top I feel invincible, just before it comes crashing down. Whiplash. I remember the words that have healed, but I can’t forget the words that have hurt. I begin to believe them. Destruction. New prescriptions, higher dosages, unpleasant side effects. I am a test subject. Medicated.
Brooke LeBoeuf
@_thesagebrush thesagebrush.art@gmail.com
The sun will, still, shines in the morning
8"x8" - 36"x36"
Everyday is an opportunity to get up shine regardless of how the previous day went.
Cierra English
ellemnop.art/cierraenglish
Untitled
18" x 24"
Expressing what I don't know or understand is inside of me. These images develop over time. Usually starting with the ferocity of both hands clawing at the paper trying to find what needs to come out. Eventually images begin to take shape at which point I slow down and try to find how the entity is connected or how it lives. This image was created over the several months in which I moved into a new home and changed my life a great deal.
Drew Bolotte
@drewbotte
Apprehension
Oil on canvas, 2' x 6'
A depiction of lovers saying goodbye to each other while desiring the reassurance that they both have the strength to be happy alone. The painting was developed over time during those moments of feeling worried and alone. As a way of exercising and realizing that those negative thoughts are pointless and untrue. Is it a natural human tendency to think the worse or is it something else? Either way, it doesn't serve us well and we must always remember that positivity can only come from within.
Drew Bolotte
@drewbotte
Scar Tissue
Mixed media on canvas, 2 - 16 x 16 canvases to make a 16x32” horizontal textured diptych
Created after my first failed IVF embryo transfer. Those who battle infertility, you ARen’T alone.
Jade Brady
@jadebradyartist
jadebrady.com
Neon Death
16”x20”
my love for playing with colors
Kendra Northover Ken3art@gmail.com
“it’s the power in PTSD for me”
20"x24"
there is power in trauma. the power to fight. the power in silence. the power in grief. the power in the weight of heaviness. the power in resilience. the power to live. we hold the power to shift the hidden scars into beauty marks. ptsd = powerful transformation of strength and discovery.
Nikki DiSalvo
@nicoledoesart
“in my healing era”
24"x24"
healing. a constant state of growth. just like the wings of a butterfly, healing unfolds in layers, revealing self-discovery in self-love, beauty, and unwavering strength. the healing process is a journey of resilient fragility, the breakthrough of freedom and beauty in finding inner peace.
Nikki DiSalvo
@nicoledoesart
Strength in Vulnerability
30"x24"
I feel some of our most authentic moments are while looking into our own reflection. Either practicing a smile before going out or rehearsing a past or future conversation. I am at my most vulnerable in those moments. Being caught or interrupted by someone is, for whatever reason, embarrassing. We play it off like I wasn't just talking to myself in the mirror. But, in a way, I feel those same embarrassed or ashamed feelings of one's authentic self are what keep us from getting the support everyone needs. I am I. I should not be ashamed of my feelings. I am not alone in feeling this way. It is part of the human experience, and I am thankful to have this day to be, and feel, and do. Come what may, I will continue to learn and grow from the good and bad. Trying every day to have the confidence and courage in my most authentic self.
Peter Dorsey
peterdorseyart.com
@petey_fresh
His Grace is Sufficient: His Power is Made Perfect in Weakness
24"X36"
2 Corinthians 12:9. "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Rosetta Futrell
Magnetic Memories
Watercolor on 140 lb, cold-press, watercolor paper, 7"x10" (painting), 9”x12" (framed)
Captures the marriage of my emotions - often intense, fiery, and consuming with the healing landscape of Sedona, AZ. The healing that I found in the South West gives a unique accent to my practice as an Art Therapist and Counselor in LA. As I grow as a clinician, I continue my personal work - as someone who is neurodivergent with complex trauma and an eating disorder. I believe that some of the best therapists continue seeing their own therapists/healers/guides. The journey continues.
Shiloh Langlois
@ShilohLangloisArt
Tears and Smears, the Sky Clears.
Pencil and pen on 90lb mixed media paper. 9x10" with frame
Pencil and ink on paper. Silhouette of me, in bandanna, tee, and shorts. I’m standing in the sand, back to viewer, wind creating movement. The sun’s raise illuminates patterns of waves. The sky is overcast, the sea somewhat turbulent. My feet are buried in moist sand, and a sand castle and beach paraphernalia deteriorates behind me. A memory of a time when sea and sand provided the medicine for my spirit to heal.
Shiloh Langlois
@ShilohLangloisArt
Protection, Guidance, and Wisdom
Watercolor on black, rough,140 lb watercolor paper, 10"x18"x.5" including frame
While my father was recovering from quadruple bypass surgery. The whole work features three pieces, which tell a story - related to death, life, and renewal. The images depicted capture the eerie relationship I have with mental health, stability, and healing - which align with the story this piece tells, and its title. I wish I could say more, yet this piece continues to teach me, in time's passing. It now hangs in my Art Therapy office.
Shiloh Langlois
@ShilohLangloisArt
Growth and Discovery
Watercolor on 140 lb, cold-press, watercolor paper, 7"x10" (painting), 9”x12" (framed)
A creative representation of my journey with mental health and wellness. It is rich, and often feels much like the scene in the work - a landscape of shadow and light, flora and fauna, and much to explore and understand. I'm not yet where I want to be, and also I'm practicing the realization that where I am is, perhaps, where I'm meant to be.
Shiloh Langlois
@ShilohLangloisArt
J Rees
@jbyrnerees
Mother Nature
Mixed media on paper framed, 16"x20"
Inspired by perseverance and rebirth
Ashley LeBlanc
The Midst of the Becoming:
When Heaven Spoke to Me
36"x48"
This Season's Meaning
30"x40"
Uncertain Perfection
30"x40"
The becoming is a constant state. As we evolve, we evolve. We are always in the midst. "The Midst of the Becoming" represents the tapping into our divinity. The moment where you first realize which voice in your head is yours, and heaven speaks to you. You trust your intuition. You realize you're on a mission. That this (constant) season's meaning is to stay faithful to the core what's true to you. And that level of perfection will sometimes, almost all times feel uncertain. But that's what faith is. Faith is the becoming. And we are in the midst.
Derwinisha Alford
gtf-creep.myshopify.com
Letter It Out
Book, 8.5" x 8.5"
Letter It Out is a book featuring local artists from both Baton Rouge and who hold Baton Rouge close to their hearts. These multidisciplinary artists are bravely and beautifully lettering out their insecurities and struggles as well as offering advice on how to deal with it.
Jennifer
@jennleecreates
Find Your Wings
20" x 16"
reflects the hope and transformation that can emerge from struggles with mental health. The blue butterflies represent resilience and the ability to take flight
Loveday Funck
lovedayfunck.com
Learn Release from Clouds
acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 in 2024
About releasing tension through tears like clouds do.
Serena Viola Corson
@serenaviolaart
Pieces
There are so many pieces and parts that make us who we are. This piece aims to show different pieces of who I am-- the good, the bad, and the ugly-- because without all of them, I would not be me.
Roni Vincent
theturquoisecanvas.com
Love is Blinding
9" x 8"
The idea behind this painting is that we so often see those we love through rose colored glasses. We can also tend to see our own actions towards those we love through that same lense. What may seem like lovely, happy interactions may actually be hurtful, dangerous, or manipulative. This particularly comes into play when you or your loved one is dealing with mental health struggles and is not aware of the pain being caused.
Twila Arrington ladyaethriascharms.com
This year’s exhibition was thoughtfully produced in partnership with the brilliant minds and incredible talent behind 2WO Unit.
Founded by McCaala ‘MC’ Nelson and Kayla 'Rose' Magee, 2WO Unit (pronounced two) is a creative service and experiential production studio. Drawing from diverse backgrounds spanning government, professional development, lifestyle, sports, and entertainment, we've honed our skills in ideation, strategy, and execution over the past eight years. Our expertise extends from local to global platforms, highlighting the significance of skill development, accessibility to resources, and aligned opportunities.
Through projects like HOMEGROWN, spotlighting local musicians, and connecting global brands like AVEDA to niche markets such as Black women at Essence Festival, they excel in bridging creativity, culture, talent, and goals. They are adaptive innovators, smooth on the pivot.
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Rose, a pioneering creator and advocate of self-discovery, channels her passion for human experience across the diverse landscapes of fashion, culture, and history. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, she possesses a profound understanding of people, enabling her to forge genuine connections pivotal to her work. With an unwavering commitment to authenticity, Rose aspires to inspire fellow creatives to unleash their voices and incite change while remaining true to themselves. Her expertise spans photography, creative direction, project management, and various art forms, including set and fashion design, empowering her to craft immersive experiences that resonate deeply. At the helm of her brainchild, 2WO Unit (formerly Blueprint77), she fosters a collaborative community and provides accessible resources for creative expression. Fuelled by emotion and driven by authenticity, Rose endeavors to create timeless experiences that reverberate as a collective expression of voice and vision
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An intuitive creative force, McCaala Nelson channels her unique and multifaceted talents into creative strategies for brand strategy, communication, and production. After earning her B.A. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University in 2020, this July-born Cancer has acquired expertise in roles ranging from consultant, brand designer, and art director—each role combining an eagerness to learn with a solution-oriented mindset. When not honing her strategic and creative superpowers, you might find McCaala curating playlists to life's seasons, capturing moments with iPhone photography, or refining her tastes and talents, sometimes simultaneously.
Exclusive event tees designed by Jenn Lee Creates, with a portion of the printing donated by Giraphic Prints.
Thank you to our sponsors & donors. We couldn’t do it alone.
Food & Beverage Donations:
Rally Cap Brewing
Don’s Seafood
Impressions by Darian