The “New Beginnings” art exhibition in Branford connects the community to mental health and recovery services, showcasing art’s healing power and breaking stigma.
BRANFORD, Conn. — The Root Center for Advanced Recovery is using a new art exhibition in Branford as a creative pathway to connect the community with mental health and recovery services.
The “New Beginnings” exhibition at Stony Creek Medical Center features 28 pieces of artwork from artists with diverse backgrounds and deeply personal stories. Leaders with the Root Center for Advanced Recovery said the goal is not only to showcase the artists’ talents but also to help break the stigma surrounding recovery and encourage more people to seek support and services.
Michele Fischer-Paul contributed two pieces of artwork to the exhibition and said her work reflects both her personal history and the exhibition’s broader message of ‘New Beginnings.’
“It is an original piece comprised of pages from the Bible and then a superimposed image of immigrants. And I myself am an immigrant from France,” Fischer-Paul said. ” I’m very passionate about maintaining culture and maintaining your heritage and your roots.”
Fischer-Paul said she believes art and recovery should go hand in hand.
“Recovery and arts should be more interconnected because arts have a healing power. And a lot of people don’t recognize that,” said Fischer-Paul.
The Root Center for Advanced Recovery is one of Connecticut’s oldest nonprofit providers of mental health and substance use services. Margaux Farrell, the Chief of Staff at the Root Center for Advanced Recovery, said the event is designed to get new people through their doors and connected to their services.
“Our ultimate goal was not only to showcase some beautiful art, but also to get new people walking through our doors,” Farrell said. “We service adults and teens who are struggling with mental health and or substance issues.”
Artists like Amy LaBossiere, who contributed two pieces of artwork for the show, said her personal connection to recovery is what inspired her to participate.
“I’m a person in long-term recovery, which is why I was really drawn to this show,” LaBossiere said.
She said community support plays a critical role in healing.
“Recovery centers like this are really important in the community to help people. Because people recover in community and they recover together. It’s very difficult to recover on one’s own. So having that support means everything and creating artwork that symbolizes that recovery can serve twofold,” LaBossiere said.
For some artists, like Brian Oullette, he said creating art has changed his life.
“Painting saved my life,” Oullette said. “Paint the sad times, paint the good times, and it will bring you a lot of joy.”
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Exhibition Juror, Alexander Ranniello, said this exhibition is also meant to reflect themes of renewal and empowerment.
“The premise is to bring the spring season of renewal together and empower people to start their journey towards healing,” Ranniello said.
The “New Beginnings” exhibition will be on display for the next three months at the Stony Creek Medical Center on Business Park Drive in Branford. They’re open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Annette Montgomery is a Multi-Skilled Journalist and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at amontgomery@fox61.com Follow her on X
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