Art has always been a means for many to vocalize their deepest feelings and thoughts.We can see the joy, sorrow, pain, wonder, and deepest fears of humans taking the form of images or lying ingrained in the symbolic use of shapes and colors in art. It always has a meaning, a tale to tell. The meaning the viewer finds can be different from that of the artist but it is communicating a lot for sure. It is a two-way process of healing that happens through art.Veteran artist and Emirati businessman Mr. Ahmad Al Awadhi speaks of the relaxing power of art which can be transferred to posterity. “I get rid of all the daily fatigue and stress when I paint. I would like to pass this experience on to parents who can guide their children to follow the path. Being artistically creative will help them in their studies and will have a positive impact that can keep their spirits up”. says Mr. Awadhi.

Leading artist Mr. Anjini Prakash Laitu supports the idea as his experience in a multinational company over 42 years in India and Dubai has given in tremendous insights regarding the role art can play in one’s busy life. Mr. Laitu claims that his more than 20 years of life as an artist have given him a new vision and energy to move forward.  According to him, “Painting and art gives me and my family so much of positive energy that we have no time to think about physical or mental stress of any kind. We all look forward to a very colorful day. Art has given me so much confidence and power that I expect myself to be spreading and receiving more and more happiness every day.”

“In the post-covid scenario, there is a surge in cases of anxiety and depression which owes to the unexpected lockdown, limited opportunities to socialize, and added stress from the realization of the unpredictability of life. This has affected people irrespective of their age, gender, and socio-economic conditions. It is in this scenario that the therapeutic function of art becomes relevant. The need to be at peace with oneself is an utmost necessity nowadays.” says artist and educator, Dr. Devisree S. The necessity of creating awareness by knowing one’s self has been taken up by Artscrafts and Srivatsa M.A Memorial Trust for Mental Health, Bangalore India who are organizing an event called “Artistic Celebration of Beautiful Minds”.Artscrafts is one of the leading names in the UAE art scenario with remarkable contributions to global art and culture. The platform was formed with the vision to support struggling artists and the platform has been a great support in shaping the career of many artists across the world. Artscrafts has been successfully organizing a variety of events ranging from art competitions, exhibitions, live art, panel discussions, and cultural events incorporating various genres of art and artists from different walks of life. Artscrafts started the celebration of artistic minds through “The Artistic Celebration of Beautiful Minds” in April 2022 and will continue till October 2022. This celebration shall not be limited to these months, it shall go beyond this as it is the need of the hour. We should be able to find solace through art” says Anil Kejriwal, Founder, and CEO, of Artscrafts.

Mr.Kejriwal, who is a Chartered Accountant working in Abu Dhabi as a Director in Jindal Saw Gulf Group believes that everyone is an artist at heart humanity should work together considering it a   social responsibility to give a platform to all the hidden talents and spread happiness to all and especially to those who need our support and love. Artscrafts has been instrumental in supporting many struggling artists across the globe. The cause is supported by Mr. Girish Pant a dedicated social worker in UAE and Padmashri Tilak Gitai, both of them being patrons of Artscrafts. co. 

Srivatsa M.A. Memorial Trust for Mental Health is founded by Dr. Rangashri Kishore and Malur Aji Narayan (Sister & Brother of Srivatsa M.A) in his fond memory, who unfortunately lived with a difficult mental health condition all his life until his death on 24th April 2019 at the age of 54. The organization intends to support programs that help mental illness as part of their social responsibility toward society. UAE-based artist, Pari Sagar speaks in support of the cause. According to her, “Art creates a bridge towards positive health. Activities like painting with a non-dominant hand help to lower stress levels and promote mental calmness. Playing with colors takes your mind off from day-to-day life and relaxes your mind.”
The Artistic Celebration of Beautiful Minds is open to all Rehabilitation Centers, Hospitals, Halfway Homes, Day Care Centers, and Institutions treating individuals living with Mental Health issues such as Schizophrenia and allied disorders like Depression, Anxiety, Bi-Polar disorders, etc. from across the globe. Each participating organization will host a day for the celebration of arts with their participants and will need to send a 30-minute video to Artscrsafts. The videos shall be shared on YouTube and other social media platforms to create awareness.

“The need of being expressive of one’s feelings has become an inevitable thing in this fast-moving world. The more they are suppressed the more it will affect our mental and physical wellbeing. Being an entrepreneur, I am well aware of this fact and have been able to positively channel my thoughts and feelings through art. It is an absolute need, and this makes Artistic Celebration of Beautiful Minds even more relevant.”, says artist and entrepreneur Ar. Raisa Mariam Rajan.

Artscrafts invites submissions from UAE and all around the world as an initiative to spread awareness regarding mental health. Each participating organization needs to send the best quality images of the 3 best artworks in JPEG format along with the details of the artists by mail to [email protected]. Artscrafts is currently working with M.S. Chellamuthu Trust of Madurai Tamil Nadu, Richmond Fellowship Society India, Bangalore, and Delhi, and Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi, Ashadeep of Assam. Dr. Anand G Isarka, an Abu Dhabi-based Anaesthesiologist has been vocal about the inevitability of such an initiative. According to him, “Engagement with artistic activities can enhance one’s mood, emotions, and physio psychological states. Art allows individuals to channelize their maladaptive instincts into creative products that allow them to communicate better and work through difficult thoughts and complex emotions. Through creative expression in the form of art and imagination, one can find one’s identity and one’s reservoir of healing”.
As per Khushi kejriwal ,19 who is studying at the University of Wollongong and working on the project Artscrafts since its inception also states that “Art gives peace of mind and is very important to release stress of students. Art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. When we create art, we elevate our mood, we improve our ability in problem solving, and open our minds to new ideas.”

As Per Atul Panase an Eminent artist of Dubai the Art is food for your mind and soul! They way your body needs a proper diet plans and physical exercise to keep yourself strong, healthy with intact immunity so that you remain energetic, in same manner your brain, mind and soul need food which can be supplied in the form of art. Art helps us to keep the balance between the roles we play in our daily life. It is main ingredient in making a good relationship whether it is on our personal or professional front. Art soothes your mind, calms down your anxiety and empower you with a power to come up with creative solutions for everything you do.Art helps you to bring the alignment between mental, emotional, intelligence and spiritual approach while keeping the balance between personal and professional life.

Prof. Dr. Andrew Mohanraj Chandrasekaran Treasurer, World Federation for Mental Health congratulated both organizations: “Artscrafts Dubai and the Srivatsa MA Memorial Trust for Mental Health, Bangalore must be congratulated for the timely organization of the ‘Artistic Celebration of Beautiful Minds’. In a world still plagued by stigma in mental health, such an event brings about greater understanding of persons struggling to have their voices heard.”
The last date of submission of the artwork is 15th September 2022. The closing ceremony will be on 10th October on World Mental Health Day.