24 | MAY 18 • 2023
T
he fourth annual Gesher
Human Services Frame
of Mind Benefit and
Arts Showcase will be held on
Sunday, May 21, from 2-5 p.m.
at the Eastern Market (3434
Russell St. #501, Detroit). The
immersive music, singing, the-
ater and art event will feature
the talents of 70 participants
in Gesher Human Services
Creative Expressions program,
an artistic enrichment program
run by the nonprofit for indi-
viduals who have intellectual
or developmental disabilities or
who are living with serious men-
tal health disorders.
Musicians from the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra, including
a flutist, cellist, violinist, violist
and percussionist, will perform
with participants. Detroit Opera
provided vocal coaching and
mentorship, along with equip-
ment for the event, and a Detroit
Opera pianist will be accom-
panying a vocal performance.
Solo singing performances and
outdoor music featuring a drum
circle performance with percus-
sionist Sundance DiDomenico
will also be part of the program.
Participants in Creative
Expressions have been working
with artists from the College for
Creative Studies in Detroit. Art
on display will include acrylic
paintings, drawings, chalk pastel
works, ceramics, murals with a
collage, photography and sculp-
tures. In addition, because the
event is happening on Flower
Day at Eastern Market, there will
be floral-inspired art on display.
Last year’s Frame of Mind
event raised $80,000 to help fund
Creative Expressions, which
takes place throughout Metro
Detroit at partner locations like
the College for Creative Studies,
Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
Matrix Theatre and at galleries,
parks and virtually.
During the past year, par-
ticipants in Gesher Human
Services Skill-Building Program,
a vocational program for people
with intellectual disabilities, have
enjoyed weekly classes at the
College for Creative Studies and
Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
gaining new skills and knowl-
edge that could potentially
widen their employment oppor-
tunities.
Those who suffer from seri-
ous long-term mental health
disorders who attend Gesher’s
Lois and Milton Y. Zussman
Activity Center in Southfield are
offered a wide variety of activi-
ties include visual and perform-
ing arts, photography, writing,
poetry, jewelry-making, dance
and art-therapy.
James Willis, Gesher Human
Services COO, says Creative
Expressions and Frame of Mind
not only give people with dis-
abilities the opportunity to grow
in their interest and explore the
passion they have in the arts, but
to also share their passion and
the work they’re doing with the
community.
Willis hopes the event helps
break down the stigma around
people with disabilities in terms
of their ability to engage in com-
munity activities, whether it’s
through the arts, their work or
general community engagement.
“This event really shows that
folks with disabilities have a lot
to offer,
” Willis said.
Eric Adelman, chief advance-
ment officer at Gesher, agrees
with that sentiment.
“I hope this is yet another way
we can help overcome stigma
about people with disabilities
and instead of talking about
what they’re not able to do, see
them as people with unique gifts
like we do with the rest of the
world,
” Adelman said.
Adelman believes what’s
special about Frame of Mind is
within the art and music com-
ponent, recognizing the barriers
many of the participants have
overcome to be able to perform
in front of others in this way. All
of that combined makes for a
feel-good event, he says.
“
All of us at times have barri-
ers to overcome, and when peo-
ple give us opportunities, we’re
able to overcome some of those
barriers,
” Adelman said.
For sponsorship opportunities and
tickets, go to geshermi.org/frameofmind;
complimentary valet parking is available.
The immersive music, singing, theater and art event will
feature the talents of 70 participants in Gesher Human
Services’ Creative Expressions program.
Frame
of
Mind
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
Program participants
express themselves
through art.
COURTESY OF GESHER