“Your Journey; Your Story” Art Exhibit hosted by The West Plains Council on the Arts & Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center

The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center (OZH) have partnered to bring a themed collection of submissions by area residents to the West Plains Civic Center. WPCA will host the exhibition of works in the Gallery at the Center from May 1, 2025 – May 9, 2025. The Gallery, on the mezzanine, is open to the public during regular Civic Center hours. Coordinator Kathleen Morrissey says, “WPCA is honored to facilitate this art show during Mental Health Month.  Art has long been considered an excellent outlet for one to express themselves.”

The 2025 Mental Health month’s art show theme is “Your Journey; Your Story”. This competition invites area adults (18+ years of age), High School students (9-12th grade), Middle School Students (5^th – 8^th grade), 2^nd grade – 4^th grade, and 1^st grade and below to provide their artistic interpretation of what that means. All media types are accepted. Submissions from Caulfield, Licking, Houston, Mountain Grove, Mountain View, Birch Tree, Winona and West Plains will be participating in this exhibit.

“Art can provide a creative outlet for expressing and processing emotions, particularly those that are difficult to put into words. This can help individuals to release feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and promote a sense of emotional release and catharsis.” says Lora Moulds, Intensive Community Support Specialist and Art Show Coordinator at Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center. A Meet-the-Artists event will be held on Friday, May 9^th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. in the Gallery at the Center. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, view and discuss the pieces on display.

For more information about the exhibit, contact OZH coordinator Lora Moulds l.moulds@ozhcare.com or WPCA Coordinator Kathleen Morrissey at 417-293-7751.