Therapeutic Concept Captures The Eye

By SEAN C. LEDIG The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2007

FOREST HILLS - Tommy Durham sat quietly at his canvas.

He dipped his brush into an empty egg carton smeared with acrylic paint. He removed some blue paint and added it to the sky over a tropical forest.

Durham, 37, said he enjoys the creative process. But more than that, painting is also therapy for the Belmont Heights resident.

"It gives me peace of mind," he said. "It helps me to concentrate more."

Durham is one of about 300 clients at Project Return, a community-based provider of services for adults with mental illness, said Judy Shelton, the organization's administrative manager.

His works hang in the lobby gallery, one of two galleries operated by the organization. Last summer, the organization opened Tower Gallery directly across the street at 303 W. Waters Ave. Project Return is at 304 W. Waters Ave.

This weekend, the center will hold the Muddy Waters exhibit reception from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Tower Gallery and an open house at Project Return from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Friday's reception will include live music featuring Hunker Down Roy and Phantom Limb Syndrome. For Saturday's open house, there is a $5 suggested donation.

The reception will feature work by Project Return's clients and professional artists in the community. Angela Dickerson, director of Project Return's art program, said it will not be noted whether the artwork was done by a client or a professional.

"The point is not to stigmatize the artist by not mentioning which artist has mental illness in the gallery," Dickerson said.

The gallery name, Tower Gallery, was inspired by the Sulphur Springs water tower, a longtime landmark in the area.

"The idea is to have a gallery that is kind of tied into that landmark, and extend all the beautifications and development that is happening in Seminole Heights and Sulphur Springs," Dickerson said.

The artists show and sell their work in the gallery. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale goes to the artist, and 50 percent goes to Project Return.

Project Return's clients deal with a range of mental health issues from depression to schizophrenia to chronic drug abuse.

The organization assists people with housing, work preparation and employment services, education and social opportunities. The art program is used as a form of therapy and a means for clients to express themselves, Shelton said.

"Everybody has an artist inside them," she said. "This is about finding what will bring out that creativity."

Project Return's executive director, Natalie Mitchell, said she thinks it's important for those with mental illness to be able to express themselves.

"Art is a great way for the mentally ill to have a voice in the community," Mitchell said.

Durham gets the inspiration he needs from one of several Bible storybooks he carries in a backpack. His latest work depicts the Garden of Eden.

"It's from creation," Durham said of the nature scene on his canvas. "God made the leaves, the trees and the branches."

Dickerson said she enjoys Durham's work, calling a large, brightly colored version of "The Last Supper" inspirational.

"His interpretations are incredible," Dickerson said. "Many illustrated Bible books I've seen are so boring, but I would love to see one with Tommy's paintings."

Hugo Gonzalez, 44, of Dunedin, was referred to Project Return by the Veterans Administration. His paintings run the gamut from portraits to still life to abstract.

"It relaxes me," Gonzalez said. "It takes my worries away."

Three of his paintings hang next to one another at the entrance to Project Return. The first is a woman in a white dress, with kanji letters painted on the wall behind her.

Next is one with some flowers in a vase against a black background.

The last is a colorful abstract of a human face. Gonzalez said that painting is "a little Miró, a little me," referring to the Spanish surrealist Joan Miró.

As someone afflicted with schizophrenia, Renee Sharp struggles with her inner demons. But when she's painting, it gives the 51-year-old a sense of peace and focus.

"It helps me with my mental disorder," Sharp, who lives in North Forest Hills, said of art. "Spiritually, it helps to guide me through the Holy Spirit."

No matter her medium, whether acrylics, water colors, fabric or mixed media, her favorite subject is always flowers. Her choice of subject matter helps her to maintain her sense of optimism.

"It reminds me of the sweetness of life," Sharp said.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Muddy Waters exhibit reception and Project Return open house

WHERE: Tower Gallery, 303 W. Waters Ave.; Project Return, 304 W. Waters Ave.

HOURS: The reception is from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday; the open house is 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The Muddy Waters Exhibit is from Friday through Aug. 3 at the Tower Gallery, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

INFORMATION: Call (813) 933-9020 or go to www.projectreturn.org.

Reporter Sean C. Ledig can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or sledig@tampatrib.com.