Tracey believes that every single person has the ability to create. She loves the energy of working in groups and her aim is to inspire, connect, share and empower the group to engage, participate and celebrate their own unique style and approach in a safe, fun environment. “Working in groups is great for the soul, your social life and can be very therapeutic.”
BRIDGES HEALTH & COMMUNITY CARE
Bridges Health and Community Care's The Haven along with participants and staff have worked over the past 8 months to deliver a documentary to help break the stigma around mental health and spread awareness. The documentary features participants' stories, artwork, photography, music and social activities. The documentary 'I am more than my mental illness' was launched on Mental Health Day 10th October 2019 it was directed and produced by Ian Westley from Blue Eagle Productions.
UNIQUE QUALITY CARE
Unique Quality Care is a disability service that prides itself on looking for the (ability) in their clients and providing a variety of experiences and support in accordance to clients individual needs, goals and support requirements. I started working with their clients at their new premises with the intent being that I support their clients to design and create a 3 wall mural at the centre. The theme of the mural is to be inspired by the Gladstone Region. They have decided to make the mural three dimensional and use recycled items to do this. It has been a joy watching the group work together from the initial brain storming ideas, design process and now moving to the drawing and painting stages. They are learning many skills from working in a team, drawing, painting and their confidence is increasing each week. They have real ownership over the mural and are always keen to show anyone that comes through the door.
MURAL PROJECT
Awesome start with the mural, these photos are from the first 4 project days at Unique Quality Care. The team is working creatively towards a massive three wall mural inspired by the Gladstone Region in their new office 2/17 Dawson road. This mural will be made 3 dimensional with recycled items.
FINISHED MURAL
THE HAVEN
Adult Mental Health Service Social Health Group (In collaboration with the schizophrenia Fellowship) This social art group provides an opportunity for mental health clients to explore and express their creative abilities while being in a non intrusive safe environment.
MOSAIC PROJECT
This unique art project was the first activity that mental health patients produced. This mosaic piece titled “Journey of Life” (Our Story) was a 14 week project that was facilitated by local resident artist Tracey Smith who guided mental health patients through the conceptualizing, planning and completion stages of this brilliant art piece. Journey of Life was donated to the Gladstone Mental Health Service during Mental Health week celebrations as part of 2008’s theme “Be Mind Wise”. This project was to inspire others in the community who face challenges in their life to step out of their comfort zone and attempt new things and enrich their lives by using creativity.
BEHIND THE DESIGN Journey of Life (Our Story)
The tree of life represents growing both within ourselves and growth of knowledge about our individual illness during our life’s journey. The roots are the grounding influences and connection to our support networks. Within the tree is the River (journey of life) which sometimes reflects often turbulent, calm and sometimes overflowing effects not unlike parts of each of our lives. The sunflower represents happiness which we all strive for in our lives and the mirror stem reflects our own image to remind us the connection. The footprints represent our journey/path that we all travel, our own path to understanding, acceptance and happiness within ourselves and the community. The wheels represent our motion and emotions along our journey. “Going along fine until the wheels fell off”. It also represents resilience and the ability to be able to move forward in our lives no matter how tough that might be. The sun reflects hope and happiness. The leaves show our growth. Heart shaped leaves were used in this design. Some of the leaves are within the tree structure and some were placed outside the tree, this reflects our feelings on boundaries set not only be other people’s perceptions but boundaries we set ourselves.