MAYVILLE - Chautauqua County Executive Gregory Edwards recently announced that artwork from Chautauqua Tapestry's 2012 poster contest will be on display for two weeks in the main lobby of the Gerace Office Building, 3 N. Erie St. in Mayville.
The contest is held each May as part of Children's Mental Health Awareness Month and the posters were first put on display at the 5th Annual Green Ribbon Gala Celebration hosted by Compeer Chautauqua, Family Support Services and Chautauqua Tapestry. The theme for this year's contest was "Heroes of Hope."
"We feel it's essential for everyone to try to identify a hero of hope in their life," said Lexy Baglia, Social Marketer and Technical Assistance Coordinator for Chautauqua Tapestry. "And not only find their own, but to be one for someone else as well."
Article Photos
Submitted photo
Traveling artwork for Chautauqua Tapestry’s Heroes of Hope Poster Contest comes to the Gerace Office Building. From left to right: Lexy Baglia, Social Marketer and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Chautauqua Tapestry; Patricia Brinkman, Director of Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene & Principal Investigator, Chautauqua Tapestry; Greg Edwards, Chautauqua County Executive; and Victoria Patti, Youth Engagement Specialist, Chautauqua Tapestry.
A "Hero of Hope" is defined as a caring adult who provides a youth with positive support and influence that can help the child develop or enhance resilience. By participating in the contest, local youth identified their heroes of hope, raised community awareness on wellness and mental health, and encouraged other youth in Chautauqua County to reflect on their own heroes.
The collection of 22 posters, which honors firefighters, soldiers, parents and others, will be on display now through July 27, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Gerace Office Building.
"This art contest is a wonderful way to get youth voices heard in Chautauqua County and to empower others to become a hero of hope," said Victoria Patti, Youth Engagement Specialist for Chautauqua Tapestry. "Youth are wonderful assets here and we need to give them the tools and the outlets to make a statement, especially around something so important as mental health awareness. National Children's Mental Health Awareness month is celebrated every year in May and this year we were extremely happy with the thought and heartfelt messages in the artwork that was submitted."
The artwork has already been on display at the James Prendergast Library, Infinity and Performing Arts, and Family Service of the Chautauqua Region and will soon be traveling to City Hall in Jamestown and the Adams Art Gallery.
"These posters were made by children throughout our County and it is wonderful to see the people in their lives that they look up to as heroes," said Edwards. "I hope employees and residents will take a moment during their day to view this creative and profound collection of posters."
