Through squeegees and acrylics, Kimberly Maack rediscovered painting — and found her peace.
She often expresses her emotions this way, managing what she describes as racing thoughts and delusions.
“It helps calm me for a couple hours,” Maack said. “And I get to get in the zone and relax.”
Since joining the same art therapy group, Julian LaCarlos Lewis has exhibited seven works at a related show, including a portrait of LeBron James — half of James’ face and half of a lion. His work now hangs in House Three Thirty.
Maack and Lewis are two of dozens of local artists scheduled to exhibit Tuesday, March 24, at the 11th annual Art of Recovery, a show and auction created for residents living with severe and persistent mental illnesses or behavioral health conditions, ranging from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism to depression and schizophrenia. The event at House Three Thirty starts at 5 p.m.
Approximately 60 mixed-medium artworks will be on display, from paintings in water colors and acrylics to drawings in pencil and chalk to sculptures, photographs and paper art.
Seventy-five percent of art sale proceeds will go directly to the artists.
“Art has a way of reaching them and giving them a focus so that they are not focused on whatever is distressing them in the moment,” said Laura Villwock, the marketing and development director for Community Support Services, which runs the Art of Therapy program for its clients.
Art therapists work with clients by creating treatment plans to engage their creative process. In these sessions, clients create artwork that promotes emotion regulation, increases self-esteem and reduces anxiety among other effects.
“I’ve been in the art therapy group for 3 months now. I came here with no motivation due to lack of self confidence in completing a project. Another one of my issues is that I would rush to complete a project. As the weeks progressed, I started some challenging projects that I felt it was impossible to do. With the support of Lacy and the group I had the motivation to try a challenging project. As I completed more projects I began to build self-confidence and motivation to tackle any project. So now I feel that I have gained self-confidence through the art therapy group. I really think this is an awesome group and we need this at CSS.” – Art therapy participant
Since 1988, Community Support Services has provided health care across Summit County. Last year, the organization served 5,000 people. Some artwork from previous shows hangs in the agency’s office walls.
His first drawing was Popeye. A half-century later, he takes commissioned art requests
Five decades ago, Lewis’ journey into art began with a drawing of Popeye the Sailor using pencils, markers and colored pencils.
Fast-forward to Tuesday. One of two works Lewis, 53, will show this year is titled “Exodus.” It’s a portrait of Bob Marley’s side profile with abstract shades of black, white and purple through his locs.
“He was a freedom fighter in Jamaica so his music, if you listen to it, it talked about God and all the oppression that they went through,” said Lewis, a Cleveland native who moved to Akron in 2023.
“It’s a small island, but it ain’t too much different from America.”
Lewis creates portraits, as well as whatever inspires him, with acrylics and pencils as his main media. Still, he doesn’t have a favorite medium; he’s learning them all.
Squeegees over pencils and paintbrushes: ‘It makes me feel really good’
Maack believes she pays too much attention to details to create with a variety of mediums. The perfectionist in her wants her work to be whatever she considers perfect.
With squeegee art, the minute details are out of her control, which allows her to relax, do it and allow her curiosity to take over as she creates.
At last year’s event, one of her alcohol ink paintings won third place.
“It makes me feel really good, and that my art’s appreciated,” Maack said. “And I feel like an artist.”
Editor’s note: Gary Estwick contributed to this article.