Welcome to the Signs of Well-Being Project
Improving Mental Health with Community Connections and Creativity
Art for All’s public works project during the fall of 2023 has been a series of 38 mini-murals. 100 people contributed to designing and painting old campaign lawn signs with messages and images to promote a sense of well-being, using images and words that evoke curiosity, joy, laughter, and a sense of connection to each other, and to our natural environment.
Each Sign of Wellbeing
Was designed and hand painted by 1 or more community members
Created with repurposed and donated art supplies
Included words and/or images with one or more of these components:
The joy of art and art-making
The joy of connecting with others
The joy of connecting with nature
Self-care encouragements
gentle humor to spark joy and curiosity.
The inspiration for the project…
Art for All has always been committed to strengthening connections and building community. This past fall we responded to national and local concerns of an Epidemic of Loneliness*, with a greater focus on how art and art-making can contribute to positive mental health. The result was Signs of Wellbeing
We are by nature creative, curious, and profoundly connected to each other and to our natural environment. Art has the power to bring us together, to create meaning and elicit joy.
“Art creates culture, culture creates community, community creates humanity”.
- Your Brain on Art
The Signs are up!
The Signs of Well-Being are up in some stores in West Concord and in lawns in and around Concord.
They were collected and displayed during the Tree Lighting event in Concord Center in December 2023 and during the Holiday Stroll in West Concord.
Signs are for sale. All proceeds support the next Art for Well-Being project: Signs of Life, coming in 2024.
How you can support the project!
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Paint a sign
We have completed the fall series of sign making. Now in planning stages for the next. If you would like to be contacted about painting a sign for the winter/spring session, please wrtie to hello@villageartroom.com.
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Buy a Sign
Signs of Well-being are for sale for $50 each. All proceeds support the next Art for Well-Being project: Signs of Life, coming in 2024.
See the Products page of the website to see what signs are still available. And come see the signs at the Tree Lighting in Concord Center on Dec. 3rd, and at the Holiday Stroll in West Concord on Dec. 9th.
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Donate.
Funds are needed for supplies, communications and overhead. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. See our Donations page for online and mail-in options. Write to us at hello@villageartroom.com for questions.
Art for All is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Art for All must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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Volunteer with ART for ALL.
Sign up to volunteer with us today!
Resources for the Arts and Mental health:
Write to hello@villageartroom.com to suggest more resources
Local Resources:
Social Services
Town of Concord, Community Service Coordinator, Bonny Wilbur: bwilbur@concordma.gov
Local Food Pantry: Open Table
If You or Someone You Know is in Crisis
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Or call or text 833-773-2445 to reach the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline, 24/7 including holidays, for urgent care evaluation and connection to clinical services. They are also available at www.masshelpline.com
Families with school aged children: Concord Public Schools have partnered with Care Solace to help Concord students and their families find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers in our community. Students and families can call Care Solace at tel. 888-515-0595 any time of day or night, and a ‘Care Companion’ will help to research options, secure appointments, and follow-up to make sure the referral is a good fit. Or go to www.caresolace.com/concord for an anonymous search, to get questions answered, or to get matched with an extensive list of care providers in the area.
Domestic Violence Services Network
The Domestic Violence Services Network (DVSN) supports individuals experiencing domestic violence with safety planning, risk assessment, and referrals to effective and appropriate resources. For more information, contact DVSN at dvvap@concordma.gov or the Confidential Helpline, tel. 888-399-6111.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Vivek Murthy, United States Surgeon General who declared put a spotlight on the “Epidemic of Loneliness”, recommends volunteering as a way to connect with others and have a sense of purpose. Following are some local opportunities and volunteer resources.
Art for All
Arts Resources
51 Walden Street, and Concord Players
Other Resources, books, articles, podcasts and websites:
Together: the Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Vivek Murthy
This is Your Brain on Art, Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen
The Foundation for Art and Healing : The Unlonely Project
“Creativity acts as a catalyst to promote interpersonal engagement that strengthens community connections and wellbeing.” The Unlonely Project, The Foundation for Art and Healing