Workshops

Mental Health flower-making sessions

This series of workshops are free to the public thanks to support of the Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy.

Since 2019, the community-based initiative VITAL Health has engaged the public about mental health at this critical time around the world. Created by Artist Stacey L. Kirby and Curator Michael S. Williams, the art-making workshops, interactive performances and art installations have addressed the state of mental health across North Carolina. Now, the VITAL Health team is excited to return to Dix Park in Raleigh, NC this spring with three (3) IN-PERSON workshops and another live performance.

Beginning April 28, the three (3) free, interactive, in-person workshops will begin. Participants will create art aimed at improving their mental health and engage in a conversation about the challenges and shifting landscapes of our lives over the past couple of years. Participants will also see the video trailer of "Crisis Materials," the short film that's part of VITAL Health. This will offer participants a preview of the live performance at Dix Park in May 2022. During the workshops, Kirby will lead the flower-making portion and Williams will guide the discussion that will include therapist and owner of Takoma Therapy LLC Simone Jacobs, and Artists Johnny Lee Chapman, III and Anthony Otto Nelson, Jr. — the artistic voices behind the VITAL Health short film "Crisis Materials."

All materials needed for these workshops will be provided except for scissors. Please bring your own pair. There is no fee for this event, but please register. Below are the available dates.

• Thursday, April 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• Thursday, May 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• Thursday, May 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Workshops will be held on the park's campus at All Faiths Chapel located at 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603. Map it here.

RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot. Participants will be encouraged to display their handmade flowers in their homes as a reminder of self compassion and to revisit their mental wellness coping strategies during challenging times.

The deadline to register for each session is 24-hours before the workshop begins. Once you register, we will email you further details including parking information.

VITAL Health is a community-based initiative created by artist Stacey L. Kirby and curator Michael S. Williams to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest on our collective mental health. Through flower-making workshops, art installations and interactive performances, we are addressing the state of mental health in our communities at this critical time in our lives. #VITALHealthNC.

This initiative has completed nearly 30 workshops to date, with participants from around the world creating roughly 1,500 flowers. The team also produced and performed the short film "Crisis Materials."

We also co-produced a virtual conference called Healing Generational Trauma in 2021 through a partnership between the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Interdisciplinary Minority Student Research Group and the UNCW Office of the Arts.

Image above by Stacey Kirby.