Artists use their talents to raise awareness of mental health issues
A night of arts and performance took place in Center City, bringing together local artists to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. The event also raised funds for mental health initiatives.
CENTER CITY — A night of arts and performance took place in Center City, bringing together local artists’ passions while raising awareness of the importance of mental health. The event also raised funds for mental health initiatives.
Around 20 artworks bring life and light to the space inside Billy Penn Studios in the Old Kensington neighborhood.
“My specialty is paper floral artwork,” said Yessa Buckley, one of the artists donating work to the auction.
“I have a history of mental illness myself, losing my mother and sister at a young age, so I’ve had to overcome that and fight through it,” Buckley said.
The goal of the auction is to raise awareness about mental health. All proceeds will go to Michael’s Giving Hand, which stands for “Handling Anxiety Navigating Depression.” The foundation was founded after Michael Donatucci, pictured on the foundation’s website, committed suicide in July 2016 after struggling with depression.
He was 29 years old.
“He was smart, loving, had a great job, good looking, but he had a lifetime of anxiety and depression. He just couldn’t get over it,” said Natalie Foglietta, the foundation’s executive director. Michael was Foglietta’s cousin.
The foundation visits schools in the greater Philadelphia area to speak to young people about issues such as anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.
“We’ve already started having conversations with students in third grade about bullying and online safety, around body image, self-harm and addictions,” Foglietta said.
Ayiana Viviana is the artist and guest speaker at the event.
“Two years ago, I was going through a really dark time in my life, and I had this voice in my head that kept saying, ‘Aiana, you are the problem. If you kill yourself, this problem won’t exist,’ but then I heard a second voice telling me to pick up a paintbrush and put it to canvas,” she recalled.
The “Art for Impact” event was hosted by Giraldo Real Estate Group, which selected Michael’s Giving Hand as the beneficiary.
“We support that work and also help local artists to exhibit their work,” Carlos Giraldo said.
For more information about Michael’s Giving Hand, visit their website here, or if you would like to donate you can do so here.
