The Growing Grounds Gallery & Gifts in Santa Maria is part of Transitions-Mental Health Association, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating prejudice and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illnesses. The gallery shows and sells the work of members regularly, but it also welcomes artists for short exhibits, with the latest event featuring the work of Charles Huffines on Feb. 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 1 to 6 p.m.
Huffines has been a member of TMHA since 2005, he told the Sun in an interview last year, and explained that the organization has supported his creativity, which has been fundamental to dealing with his mental illness.
“It helps people get their dignity back,” he said. “No matter what you go through, no matter what kind of therapy you are getting, the camaraderie of people, the work that you put in, whether it be painting, music, writing poetry, anything, it’s the best medicine there is.”
The two-day exhibit, titled Penguin Dreams & Stranger, includes an artist’s reception on Feb. 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Growing Grounds Gallery & Gifts is located at 225 E. Inger Drive, suite 101B, Santa Maria. More information is available at 623-5027 or t-mha.org.
This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 3, 2016.