The Fresh A.I.R. Art Gallery

The Fresh A.I.R. Art Gallery, in Columbus, Ohio, has helped people suffering with mental illness and/or substance abuse share their artwork to help them have healthy coping mechanisms. The people of the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery, located in Columbus, Ohio, believe there needs to be more discussion about mental health.

According to a press release from the gallery in 2018, “Fresh A.I.R. Gallery’s mission is to exhibit the work by individuals affected by mental illness and/or substance use disorders.”

Not only does the gallery help the artists struggling, but it also helps the community have some insight on what the artists are going through by viewing their artwork.

According to the gallery website, “For the thousands of visitors who have walked through the gallery doors, these exhibits have challenged preconceptions, fostered empathy, and highlighted the tremendous abilities of those living with mental illness and substance use disorders.”

The A.I.R. in the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery stands for Artists in Recovery. Since 2004, the art gallery has been working to give people struggling with mental illness and/or substance abuse an outlet to have their stories heard. The gallery is a branch of Southeast Healthcare, which is a nonprofit organization specializing in all types of healthcare.

Myken Pullins, the Public Service Director, said “We want to help educate the community and really break down the stigma against mental illness and substance use disorders. We do this by showcasing our clients and their art. That's our mission at Fresh A.I.R.”

From abstract paintings, to black and white pictures, to colorful sculptures, art flows out of the gallery as if you are setting doves free from a cage, beautifully. While there are group exhibits featuring many artists taking place every year, the artists can apply for a solo show as well.

“It's like the first time they've ever really shared [their stories] with the world,” said Pullins. “ It's almost like a coming-out kind of thing and it’s empowering for [the artists] because they realize that they are not alone. There are other people out there that are just like them.” chosen to have a solo show by staff members. Pullins said the solo show is a bit different than participating in a group exhibit.

In 2018, artist Maria Tacon was chosen to have her own solo show in the gallery. Tacon, with long dark brown hair and caramel skin covered in tattoos, battles with many mental illnesses on a day to day basis and has dealt with it ever since she was 11 years old. In 1989, her father, Michael Tacon, died by suicide on Father’s Day. Since then, Tacon said she has been affected by that event greatly.

Tacon’s father was a painter so she decided she wanted to follow in his footsteps and keep his spirit alive. Today, Tacon signs all of her paintings the same way her father once did, M. Tacon. By painting, Tacon said she feels connected to her father which inspired her to paint even more.

“My mental illness is not for everyone,” Tacon said. “It’s repetitive and people grow tired of it. But it will never go away. I also struggle with insomnia and I sometimes stay up all night to create work.”

Tacon titled her show “Places I’d Like To Be”. She is a realism painter who specializes in various art subjects, including painting villages in Italy, skyscrapers, barns, and flowers. Being a self-taught painter, Tacon had worked for days straight to complete just one painting before. So, getting her own solo show at the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery was a very proud moment, according to her family. Pullins also said that the artists tend to be very proud of themselves when getting a solo show.

“I think by having the gallery space and featuring their art just gives them their own moment. It is something they can really focus on that doesn't have anything to do with their health issues. It is something they can be proud of,” said Pullins.

According to Tacon’s mother, Jane Beale, she has many of Tacon’s paintings hanging around in her house and has always supported her art. Beale said one of her favorite paintings of Tacon’s is a painting of a turtle. The painting hangs in her restroom, Beale said it is soothing to look at and is all shades of blues and greens.

“The gallery has been great for Maria, being a part of the program gives her something to do. [My husband and I] love to brag about her paintings,” Beale said. “We were both really proud of her when she had her solo show, I invited everyone I know.”

Tacon is one of many who has had the opportunity to show her work and share her personal story. In fact, in 2019 the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery partnered with the Columbus Museum of Art for ten months to celebrate their 15th anniversary of being open. The exhibit was titled “Who We Are: Journeys of Recovery” where about 30 artists got to submit one piece to be featured in the museum.

Walking into the exhibit at the museum was like walking into a storybook of life. Each painting from every artist carried so much depth to it, without even reading their stories first. The Fresh A.I.R. Gallery chose artists who they have worked with before in their program and Tacon was one of the ones featured. By partnering with the Columbus Museum of Art, Pullins said it brought quite a bit of awareness to the gallery that many people overlook when driving in downtown Columbus.

“I'd like [the community] to know that the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery is a real professional art gallery, it's not a gallery that is here only to serve our clients. Anyone can come,” Pullins said.

With COVID-19 still disrupting normal everyday life, the gallery is not open to the public right now. However, their website showcases all of their past exhibits and each of their artists. There are many artists speaking in a video, giving brief details about their stories and experience with the gallery on the website's “About Us” page.

“In 2015 I was able to admit I had a problem with substance abuse, those were dark times. I created my first sober piece of artwork and donated it that year. It went to the live auction portion of the night and sold for close to $600,” said artist David Leonard on the gallery website.

While the gallery put on solo shows and had teamed up with the Columbus Museum of Art, they also found a way for their clients to profit off of their own art. Every year there are group exhibits where artists can put their work up for sale and charge however much they believe their art is worth. By doing this, Leonard said it can make the artists feel even more accomplished.

“In the summer of 2017, I had a solo exhibit at the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery, which bolstered a little bit of my ego, but also my recovery as well. It made me feel like more of an artist and that’s one of the things Fresh A.I.R. does for people like me,” Leonard said.

The Fresh A.I.R. Gallery has helped many people not only tell their stories and share their art, but also recover and get through their struggles. Producing art of any kind is a good coping mechanism compared to other things that people could choose to do. Being able to paint, take a picture or sculpt is one thing, but Tacon said knowing there is an opportunity to have your own show or profit off of it is another.

“I’ve struggled with bipolar disorder, major depression and debilitating social anxiety my whole life. Fresh A.I.R. has been the catalyst of my own recovery through exhibiting my art in a solo exhibit and showcasing my work alongside other artists and peers affected by mental illness,” artist Randy Jones said on the gallery website.

Being a nonprofit organization, the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery is always looking for donations to keep their project up and running to help the hundreds of artists that they already have. Pullins said that with being unable to have a fundraiser this year due to COVID-19, the gallery is needing donations now more than ever in order to “keep the lights on”. The gallery is located at 131 N High St, Columbus, Ohio, and is typically welcoming visitors with big smiles. The staff of the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery hopes to open back up in Spring of 2021.

https://southeasthc.org/services/freshairgallery/

Until Next Time,

Mia White

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