Stigma-Free Morris: Creative Expression and Music Program Starts April 16 in Rockaway

Published on April 01, 2018

FREE Youth Workshops Offered by Life Center Stage Target Mental Illness and the Associated Stigma

(JPG, 258KB)Professional artists and musicians will lead two free, eight-week workshops for students in grades 8-12 at Rest Stop Rejuvenate in Rockaway. The goal of the program is to fight the stigma and shame of mental illness through creative expression and music.

Students who enroll in "Behind the Mask'' will sculpt their own story, do hands-on mask making and create with 3-D mixed media. The workshop run Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. starting April 16.

Students in the "Create a Movie Score'' workshop get the chance to express themselves with music as they compose for a short film and explore new instruments. The sessions are held Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. beginning April 17.

The mask making and music score programs will be turned into an animated short film that is going on the road in Stigma-Free Morris County as a touring exhibit to raise awareness and fight stigma.

Showings already are scheduled at Dover Public Library, Morris County Library in Whippany; and CARES, the Center for Addiction Recovery Education & Success in Rockaway Borough.

CARES is a peer to peer, volunteer based recovery oriented sanctuary located in Rockaway. The organization puts a face on recovery, builds recovery capital and serves as a physical location where the local recovery community can join together. CARES honors all pathways to recovery.

The event is sponsored by Community Coalition and Life Center Stage. For more information, visit LifeCenterStage.com.