Photos provided by Gary Cullen.

Kenneth Langill and the staff at Caminar’s Solano Wellness and Recovery Center set out on a mission early in 2016: to inspire the community through art.

On May 9, at the John F. Kennedy Library in Vallejo, Langill and the Caminar for Mental Health staff had the chance to see the fruits of their labor during the opening of “Art Inspiration” — a collection of art now on display featuring the work of Caminar clients. The collection was welcomed by over 150 people during a ribbon cutting ceremony that included the presence of City of Vallejo dignitaries and executives of the John F. Kennedy Library. Over 40 art pieces lined the wall at the library. The exhibit will be on display during May in Solano’s effort to raise awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month.

“The event was full of positive energy,” Langill said, “as clients and their families were present. There was an elation and feeling of accomplishment to do something positive that not would only benefit our clients but lift up their spirits, as well.”

“Art is cathartic and therapeutic,” Langill said. “It allows for the release of creativity and dreams and positive ideation of life and it’s what brings them joy or pain without stating it.”

“Art Inspiration” is just a part of Caminar’s efforts to use art in our clients’ recoveries. Langill and his team also host a concert series entitled “Music4MentalHealth” — you can read about the inaugural concert here.

Caminar would like to thank Gary Cullen for the photos. Gary Cullen is a freelance photographer. Having recently retired after 34 years as a registered nurse in the local community, Gary began focusing on his passion for photography and his intuition of what will look good thru a lens. His passion is to use his cameras to capture a collection of Urban/Auto/Rural Decay photos from the local area. You can find more of Gary's work HERE.