BHSN and Strand Center for the Arts Present “Holding Space”: A Community Exhibition on Art & Mental Health

Plattsburgh, NY - In a powerful display of community and creativity, Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) and the Strand Center for the Arts (SCA) welcomed over 130 visitors to the opening reception of "Holding Space" on Friday, April 10th. This collaborative exhibition services as a profound exploration of how creative expression informs the mental health journey.  

The gallery featured a diverse collection of 129 works from the public alongside powerful pieces created by program participants in BHSN’s Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) program and BHSN staff. This exhibition serves as a dedicated environment to “hold space” for the individual psyche and the various ways art informs the mental health journey.  

“Art is more than creativity; it’s a language of emotion. For those who create, it's a way to process and express what words often can't capture. For those who engage with it, it's a reminder that we are not alone in how we feel,” said Katherine Cook, CEO at BHSN. 

“Art connects us — and in that connection, we find community, empathy, and healing. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we celebrate the artists, the art, and the shared human experience that brings us together."  

With this exhibition open to public submissions, SCA staff reconnected with many returning artists and also had the opportunity to meet new ones. 

“Exhibitions that have a theme give the general public a greater opportunity to display their work,” said Elsa Koop-Angelicola, the Gallery Manager & Associate Curator at The Strand Center for the Arts.  

“Having this exhibition up all through Mental Health Awareness Month in May worked out so well and it gives even more meaning to this show.” 

Representatives from BHSN and the Strand Center for the Arts, as well as select participating artists, attended the opening reception with great enthusiasm – eager to show their artwork to the community.  

The opening night saw an enthusiastic turnout from artists and community members alike, underscoring the vital importance of mental health visibility. By "holding space" for these stories, BHSN and the Strand Center have highlighted the therapeutic impact of the arts and the strength found in regional collaboration.