Wyandot Behavioral Health Network is hosting its third annual stART the conversation art exhibition on Friday, May 17, in conjunction with the Downtown KCK Third Friday Art Walk. The goal of the stART the conversation art exhibition is to encourage important conversations about mental health by lifting up diverse perspectives, including those of individuals with lived experience of mental illness. In 2023, the stART the conversation art exhibition featured 100 works of art created by more than 60 artists — including artwork created by Wyandot BHN clients, staff and other community artists from across the Kansas City metro area.
We are searching for community artists who have a message to share about mental health. It is our mission to lift up diverse perspectives, engage our community in honest conversation about mental health, create change and raise awareness through art. We are calling for artists to submit their mental health-related art work. We would be honored to lift up your voice through this curated exhibition.
Read more about the 2023 stART the conversation art exhibition.
How to Enter
All artists in the Greater Kansas City area are invited to enter their artwork for inclusion in the stART the conversation art exhibit. In order to include the perspectives of as many artists as possible, we will only be accepting one piece of artwork per artist due to spatial limitations. In the event that the number of received submissions exceeds spatial capacity, determinations regarding inclusion of artwork in the exhibition will be made based on the artwork’s connection to mental health as evidenced by the artist statement included in the entry materials. New in 2024, we are including an option to apply to be a Featured Artist. Artists selected as Featured Artists may have the option to submit additional artwork (if space allows), have their artwork featured on Wyandot BHN’s social media channels ahead of the exhibition and/or speak during the event program on May 17. Artists interested in submitting their work for inclusion in the exhibition should complete the entry form linked below. There are separate entry forms for youth (under 18 years of age) and adults. The youth form requires permission from a parent/guardian.
Entry forms must be submitted no later than Friday, April 12. All visual artwork entries must be dropped off at 757 Armstrong Avenue no later than Wednesday, May 1, unless alternative drop-off arrangements are made with event organizers. Completed entry forms may be dropped off at 757 Armstrong along with artwork or submitted via email to communications@wyandotbhn.org no later than April 12. The stART the conversation art exhibition is open to a variety of art forms, including paintings, sculptures and performance art pieces, provided we can accommodate the artwork's needs in our exhibition space.