Community Counseling Center's Gallery of Inspiration, featuring consumer works, joins the downtown art scene

In 2007, the Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau developed the concept of its Gallery of Inspiration. The gallery showcases artwork produced by the people who are receiving treatment for mental illness at the center.

Until now, the gallery has been confined to the first level of the Community Counseling Center facility in Cape Girardeau. That gallery remains, but the opening of a downtown gallery provides more opportunity for the public to see the art.

"All of our artists are consumers of mental health services," said Carol Cochran, coordinator of Someone's Treasure Clubhouse, the center's resale shop. "A way for them to stay in recovery is working on their art. This is one of the ways that they have learned to express their talent, and it's a coping skill, as well, in managing their illness."

The gallery will be staffed by artists during business hours. While the artists are working, they will also be producing more art on-site, giving the community a chance to see the artists in action.

The artwork sold in the gallery will help buy more supplies for artists. The gallery will also soon sell post cards with images from the artists, which will help pay rent on the space.

Sherry Wilhelm said she is proud and excited to be sharing her work with the public in a higher-traffic setting. She practices a wide spectrum of art because she enjoys different mediums.

"I've done a lot of acrylics," she said. "I just finished an oil pastel. I've also done pen and ink."

Wilhelm's talent shows on the sign for the gallery as well; she designed and drew the lion for the sign.

"It's called Gallery of Inspiration," she said. "The reason we picked that name is we want to inspire all of the mentally ill to feel like they can reach out and do whatever their expertise is. We all have something to offer, and we hope it builds confidence in the mentally ill."

Wilhelm holds a degree in art and interior design from Southeast Missouri State University and has had some classes in graphic art as well. She is enthusiastic about her art.

"I love to paint, and I think this is the perfect place for me to show off what I love to do," she said.

Other artists create jewelry or sculpture, and their work will be shown as well.

"Several artists do oil, some do acrylic and water color, and we'll have at least 50 items," Cochran said. "The whole place will be full."

The Community Counseling Center -- which serves Bollinger, Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Perry and Cape Girardeau counties -- hopes that the Gallery of Inspiration will work as a catalyst for community awareness and understanding as well.

"We want the local people to understand more about the mentally ill," Wilhelm said.

Cochran said the counseling center holds a monthly meeting for the artists at the Someone's Treasure Clubhouse, where participants can share techniques and ideas, as well as offer peer support.

"From that, we draw and decide what pictures will be put in the gallery," she said.

The grand opening and First Friday reception for the Gallery of Inspirations, 19B N. Spanish St., is from 5 to 9 p.m. today. Regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

Pertinent address: 19B N. Spanish St.