NewsApril 22, 2026
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, C.R.E.A.T.E Community Studios, is hosting and partnering with multiple organizations throughout the month to shed awareness about mental health issues. C.R.E.A.T.E. (Capital Region Expressive Arts, Transformation & Empowerment) is a Capital Region nonprofit located in Schenectady, Saratoga and Troy that works with children and adults alike to promote freedom of expression, personal growth, and community connection.
CREATE’s signature May events are:
On Saturday, May 9 from 1-9pm will host its Annual CREATE-A-THON art-making fundraiser at its Schenectady Studio 140 Erie Blvd, Schenectady, NY 12305.
CREATE-A-THON is an afternoon and evening of interactive art-making, dinner, music featuring local musicians and community! Gelli printing, Zentangle, Paper Quilling, Picasso-style masks, “Pass Around” Process paintings, Crochet, Cigar box drums and Nature mandala are some of the exciting art-making activities community members can expect. Be sure to learn more about our new Ceramics Wellness Studio while you’re here. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.createcommunitystudios.org/create-a-thon.
Funds raised through this event will directly support C.R.E.A.T.E.’s mission to serve everyone who walks through our doors by providing a space where the benefits of art-making impact each person’s overall mental, emotional and physical health through free and low-cost open studio time, expressive arts groups for kids, teens and adults, arts workshops, community wellness activities, community building events and imperative outreach programming. Executive Director Heather Hutchison explains, “CREATE’s services fill a critical need when community members feel isolated due to mental health issues or disabilities. Folks who come to our studios repeatedly state that coming to CREATE is a key part of their routine.”
On Friday, May 15 from 5-7pm C.R.E.A.T.E will host “Pictures in Health” at its Saratoga Studio 70-B Beekman St, Saratoga Springs NY 12866.
Pictures in Health is an annual mental health art exhibit highlighting how we use art for professional growth and our individual and collective emotional well-being. All artwork is from local artists who use art as their own personal therapy or in conjunction with a mental health practitioner/art therapist. We hope by continuing the dialogue around mental health that we can continue to break down long held stigmas, reach a greater understanding of each other and overcome individual and collective struggles.
Additional events will be held as follows (subject to change), please visit https://www.createcommunitystudios.org for more information:
● May 1 Kick-off “CREATE Your Own Way” Peer 2 Peer fundraising campaign. Prizes for top fundraisers.
● May 7 Community Pint Night at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery 180 Old West Rd, Gansevoort, NY 12831, 5pm.
● May 9 Community Mental Health Awareness with RISE and Saratoga Center for the Family at Raymour & Flanigan 121 Ballston Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
● May 12 Creative Embodiment: A Self-Care Reset at Petal & Hive 510 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A self-care workshop integrating somatics, expressive art and skin-care rituals; a portion of the proceeds go to CREATE.
● May 16 Art in the Park at Congress Park, 25 E Congress Street, Saratoga Springs NY 12866, 10am. Come meet the CREATE team and participate in Community Weaving.
● May 17 Sound Bath and Meditation to benefit CREATE at Saha Yoga 12 Washington St, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
● May 19 Paint & Sip at Lark Hall,351 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY 12210.