Find the 'Order Out of Chaos'

Contributed photo

Artist Diane Fleisch Hughes presents her work, which attempts to capture the chaos of therapists and their clients dealing with various mental health issues, at Mercyhurst University's Cummings Art Gallery through February.

Opens Monday, Jan. 16

The COVID-19 pandemic created or exacerbated a number of mental health issues, and it was upon therapists, many of whom had to pivot to telehealth services, that the struggling public came to rely.

Cleveland-based artist, art therapist, and counselor Diane Fleisch Hughes turned that "chaos" into what's known as response art — art that is created with the purpose of expressing the therapist's knowledge and understanding of their client, and which allows them to, in Hughes' own words, "share their experiences with others."

Using different media (past works have included watercolor, acrylic and even spray paint) to create collages that "portray the emotional state of her subject and the environment in which they find themselves," Hughes' response art will be on display in the Mercyhurst University Cummings Art Gallery from Monday, Jan. 16 through Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Additionally, there will be a special reception on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate the exhibition and its artist. The Cummings Art Gallery is in the lobby of the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, and the exhibit is open — and free to the public — from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a special reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 // 501 E. 38th St. // Free // miac.mercyhurst.edu