In partnership with the Whatcom County Crisis Stabilization Center
MENTAL HEALTH GALLY:
Mural by: Glynn Rosenberg
“24 hour sky”
2021
A bright sun illuminates an orange-y pink sky, moving into more blue skies and trees, a few clouds, the sun sets revealing a dark night sky speckled with stars and the moon.
LOBBY:
Mural by: Stevie Shao
“Outlook”
2021
Three trees on a snowy hill with the sun peeking through. Puffy white clouds in the sky.
ACTIVITY ROOM ON MENTAL HEALTH SIDE:
Mural by: Stevie Shao
“Horizons”
2021
A grassy field with a path that leads into hopeful mountains. Text that reads “Recovery is a journey, not a destination.” Puffy white clouds in the sky.
DETOX SIDE GALLY:
Mural by: Jes Bonin
“Mary’s Garden”
2021
Wisteria trees swaying in the wind. Farmland and sweeping mountains in the distance. Animals grazing in the sunshine.
ACTIVITY ROOM ON DETOX SIDE:
Mural by: Stevie Shao
“Horizons”
2021
A grassy field with a path that leads into hopeful mountains. Text that reads “Recovery is a journey, not a destination.” Puffy white clouds in the sky.
This project was facilitated by Emily Campbell and Jessyca Murphy, Make.shift Art Spaces’ “The Mural Project”
Made possible by funding from:
The Whatcom County Health Department and Whatcom Community Foundation’s David Edward Fund and donors Ellen Posel and Frances Posel.
Special thanks to City Councilor Hollie Huthman and all the support staff at the Whatcom County Crisis Center.
Photos by Stephen Hamilton
Walk-through video of the finished murals:
See below for how this project came to life:
“This mural project will give the center a welcoming and home-like setting, and a soothing touch for people seeking relief from the distress they are experiencing.”
The Partnership
Did someone say “we need art”?
Make.Shift Art Space and the Whatcom County Crisis Stabilization Center connected in the Winter of 2021 thanks to our mutual friend Hollie Huthman, Make.Shift Board Member and Bellingham City Council member. The Center had a distinct need for beautiful artwork to brighten up the halls of their facility and the Make.Shift Gallery was uniquely suited to curate regional artists to paint soothing works of public art. You can learn more about the Crisis Stabilization Center here.
THe PRoject
The facility is split in two sections that mirror one another — one side houses a mental health program and the other houses a detox program for those overcoming addiction. There are 5 different areas where we hope to install murals that promote the health and healing of the Center’s guests. These areas include the activity room and dining hall on each side, as well as the lobby entrance (shared by both sides). The wall space available for each mural varies in size from 36 sq ft in the smallest location to 236 sq ft in the largest.
The Process
Earlier this year, Make.Shift Gallery Director, Emily Campbell, and Make.Shift’s Executive Director, Jessyca Murphy met with staff representatives from the Center to discuss their vision and dreams for the space. From these conversations, Make.Shift developed sketches (see below) and color stories that will be used as guides for the selected artists.
Make.Shift will curate 5 different artists to create final works inspired by these sketches. Artists will be encouraged to develop their own artistic interpretations and the final proposals will be reviewed and vetted by both Make.Shift and the Center staff.
Make.Shift will prioritize regional, emerging, and marginalized artists and curate muralists based on the following criteria:
Demonstrated experience designing and installing murals for a public setting
Work history of developing artistic projects for and in collaboration with professional clients
Portfolio work that demonstrates the ability to skillfully render the requested subject-matter and incorporate the appropriate color palettes
All donors will receive recognition on Make.Shift’s website and our 2021 annual report. Donors at the $5,000+ range will be recognized as official sponsors of the project and their names will be listed on the commemorative plaque.
If you’d like to learn more about this project or partnership, please reach out to Jessyca Murphy, Make.Shift’s Executive Director, at director@makeshiftproject.com or Emily Campbell, Make.Shift’s Gallery Director at gallery@makeshiftproject.com.
“I’m proud to have been a part of the team to help make the Crisis Stabilization Center become a reality and adding art to these walls is an exciting finishing touch to this project that will make it a more welcoming place for everyone.”
This project is a collaboration between:
