.gif)
The Health & Behavioral Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley just concluded its Stop Bullying Art Contest with a well-attended awards reception at the Live Oak Arts Center in Columbus.
Awards were given out for four different grade groups which were divided as K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th-12th. Also, awards were given for the expression of any one of the following themes: 1) How does it feel to be bullied?
2) What does a bully look like?
3) Stand Up and Speak Out. In addition, Best in Show was awarded for all-around artistic quality, creativity, theme compliance and expressiveness.
Approximately 150 attended the reception and found the artwork displayed shows both a tremendous amount of artistic talent from the students, but also sends a compelling message that bullying is alive and real in our schools and communities.
According to several art teachers in attendance from the various schools in the county, the contest promoted open discussion within the classrooms as well as an opportunity for students to expressed some of their deepest emotions about the problem of bullying.
Interestingly, clinical research shows that the long-term, deleterious impact on children can actually alter their brain chemistry and thus increases the risk of anxiety, depression and even suicide ideations long into their adult lives. Also surprisingly, the same research shows that the negative impact is as great for the bullies as it is for the victims and witnesses. Bullying is not necessarily a topic of common conversation between parents or school staff, yet it is a real problem that needs to be focused on by all adults so to protect those children who would otherwise be victimized and left feeling very alone, isolated and unprotected in their misery.
The sheer number of art pieces with the expressive clarity of bullying as a real problem screams loudly to the adult world, challenging parents and schools alike to pay attention and to do something to stop it.
But to add to this challenge is another reality in that only about 20 percent of bullying is reported to school personnel.
The Wellness Council would like to thank the art teachers for their support and having their students engaged in the contest; and particularly a huge thank you to Live Oak Arts Center and its Executive Director Carly Howlett for their openness to host this contest and willingness to continue to have the artwork on display in its Laura Ann Rau Upper Gallery throughout the month of October. Please check their website for hours of operation: https://www.liveoakartcenter. org/ “Everyone really needs to make the time to go and view the artwork. The students send a huge message to all adults in the community,” Wellness Officers Nancy Williams - VP Communications, and Shirley Isbell - Treasurer, the team leaders for the contest, “But be prepared: the expressiveness of the artwork and in some instances the crying out for help, will penetrate to your heart.”
Dr. Mazie Leftwich, PsyD, LCSW Emeitus
