.png)
Dawn McHale
Mental Health Matters is a presentation of West Michigan Community Mental Health in partnership with Mason County Press.
By Lori Schummer, Director of Public Relations and Customer Services, West Michigan Community Mental Health
LUDINGTON — Dawn McHale, a local artist and member of the Consumer Advisory Panel at West Michigan Community Mental Health, has received a significant honor. Her abstract artwork has been chosen to be featured on one of four buttons commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Walk-a-Mile rally in Lansing.
The Walk-a-Mile rally, organized by the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, is an annual event aimed at raising awareness and advocating for mental health issues. This year’s rally marks two decades of community engagement and support for individuals with mental health needs and will be held Tuesday, September 17 at the Michigan State Capitol.
McHale, who has been creating abstract drawings since high school, rediscovered her passion for art during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Drawing again during the pandemic helped me deal with my anxiety and depression,” said McHale. “I was drawing one a day at times. It was my art therapy.”
Her work, known for its ability to spark diverse interpretations and conversations, has been previously showcased at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts and The Sketchbook Project at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York City.
“I love how everyone sees something different in my artwork. They are conversation starters and give me great joy to observe people respond to them,” McHale shared.
McHale’s achievement not only highlights her personal journey but also underscores the therapeutic power of art. Her selection for the Walk-a-Mile rally button is a testament to her talent and the impact of her work within the community.
West Michigan Community Mental Health celebrates McHale’s success and looks forward to seeing her art represent an important cause at this year’s rally.
For more information about the Walk-a-Mile rally, visit the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan’s website.
_______________
Please Support Local News
Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news.
The easiest way is to sign up for an automatic monthly payment on Paypal. Click this link.
Alternative methods:
- We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).
We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.
If you would like to support MCP/OCP but do not wish to receive daily emails, please consider sending a contribution to any of the above methods or pay by Venmo (@masoncountypress).
