THE Artful Recovery Exhibition supports and showcases stories of bushfire and COVID experiences through the power of art, open now and running until 15 December at Coffs Central Exhibition Centre (next door to Kmart).

The Artful Recovery Exhibition is a showcase of the works created by young people during the Artful Recovery workshops that ran at headspace Coffs Harbour, starting in early 2021.

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“The workshops were specifically designed to encourage young people to reflect on and make art about their feelings during the fires and COVID-19,” Kirra Ratcliffe, headspace Community Engagement & Youth Participation Officer told News Of The Area.

“headspace wanted to provide a platform where the young people could share some of their story with the wider community and to create a fun professional launch event to celebrate the young people who love making art.

“Being creative can help process emotions like sadness, confusion, worry and anger, and/or discover other emotions that may have been stored inside.

“headspace believe that creating a safe space for young people to come and express themselves through creativity is extremely important,” said Kirra.

Artist Ellie Abbott describes her offering to the exhibition.

“Inhalation is showing a connection between two recent disasters: the bush fires and the pandemic.

“Both impacted our ability to breathe, one with smoke, one with disease.

“The fire within the chest of the figure represents this, as well as relating to the burning feeling of fear and anxiety – something that was very prevalent for young people during that time.

“The dark isolation we also experienced during the pandemic.”

The Exhibition opening night on 25 November included a Welcome to Country by Gumbaynggirr man Troy Robinson from the Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Some guest comments captured during the opening night.

“It gives young people a voice on how to express and unpack how they were feeling,” one said.

“(It) gives them (young people) focus outwards rather than inwards,” said another.

Dr Emma Gentle facilitated the Artful Recovery group with headspace peer support workers Kirra Ratcliffe, Rhianna Grimley and Millie Shapiro coordinating.

The group was jointly funded by the Primary Health Network, Healthy Minds and Coffs Harbour City Council.

By Andrea FERRARI