A new art exhibit at the Arts Barn Gallery in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is using creativity to address mental health. Titled "Pull Up a Chair 2.0," the exhibit showcases the work of 14 artists, each using chairs as a medium to represent their personal experiences with mental health struggles.
One standout piece, Panic by Molly McCracken, features black tentacles emerging from behind the chair's backrest, symbolizing the artist's feeling of anxiety creeping over her. Curator Sandra Davis shared that McCracken’s depiction reflects how anxiety feels like an overwhelming force, especially at night.
Davis, who is also one of the contributing artists, has a personal connection to mental health. Her chair, titled Color Me Manic, is a vibrant display inspired by brain scans of manic episodes. She created it based on her experiences with her spouse, who has dealt with mental health challenges throughout their 42-year marriage.
The exhibit is a follow-up to a 2022 project where participating artists found themselves in deep, therapeutic discussions during a roundtable event. Davis hopes this new collection will spark similar conversations, encouraging visitors to reflect on mental health and share their own stories.
Supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, Pull Up a Chair 2.0 is open to the public through October 6, with a panel discussion on art and mental health scheduled for September 6.
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Photo: Getty