Acting Out!
Cleveland — details tba—-
Four Days — Film, Visual Art, Music, Comedy, Panel Discussions, and More!
Founded in 2016 by artist, Derek Hess, his longtime agent, Martin Geramita, and Angie Hetrick of Axon Creative Agency.
The four-day Arts for Mental Illness and Addiction event series works to shatter the stigmas through approachable and engaging public art events, which are hosted in non-clinical settings, and presented in partnership with respected mental health/addiction organizations, local arts organizations, and celebrity advocates.
Mental illness, addiction, and creative brilliance often go hand and hand, particularly when it comes to the arts. Derek Hess understands artists like himself, are in a unique position to start dialogues about intimate, universal struggles without as much fear of judgment.
ACTING OUT! is our opportunity to challenge — and change — the negative stereotypes.
“There is nothing better than having consumers, people with the ‘lived experience,’ take the lead in helping others learn about the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. Our best chance of destigmatizing depression, bipolar disorder, and other serious mental illnesses is to have consumers with these illnesses “Act Out!”
- Joseph Calabrese, MD, Director, Mood Disorders Program, University Hospitals Case Medical Center
