Five leading Queensland artists have dedicated their time, art and heart to work with five emerging artists touched by mental health challenges in Anglicare’s mental health awareness campaign, Arts&Minds 2018. Chosen artists Sean Leahy, Matt Stewart, Tracey Keller, Tracey Eaton and Denise Proud represent a cross-spectrum of artistic style, from social commentary inspired pop art, to fine and indigenous art; each volunteering their time and talent to work with their paired artist.

Arts&Minds is Anglicare Southern Queensland’s dedicated campaign to increase the public conversation about mental health.  Anglicare Executive Director Karen Crouch says Anglicare is incredibly proud of Arts&Minds and the platform it provides in supporting the conversation around mental health in the community.

The five emerging artists are Ipswich-based Ailsa Walsh, the Gold Coast’s Samuel Dunn, Marie Robertson from Brisbane, Woombye’s Liz Pepper and Spectator Jonze from Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane, were selected from more than 400 artists who applied to be a part of the program.

Ten artwork canvases have been created by these artists, each created and filmed for a web series over an eight hour period, which will premiere on Monday 16 April online. Brisbane based contemporary fine artist Matt Stewart, who has works hanging in private collections around the world, says he had absolutely no hesitation when approached to be part of Arts&Minds.

“It was an immediate yes from me. What a creative and thoughtful way of raising awareness for what is mostly looked upon as a taboo subject in society today,” he says. On Thursday 31 May a gala event will be held at 480 Queen Street to celebrate and auction the artwork and raise funds for Anglicare programs.

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