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

