History:

Circle of Friends for Mental health began in order to help adult persons with serious and pervasive mental illness enhance the quality of their lives through opportunities for artistic self expression. Ideas were elicited from the art community: Dr. Sarah Nash Gates, Chair, University of Washington drama department, Community Psychiatric Clinic leaders, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) personnel, Kirkland Arts Center artists, even Raging Grannie singers. An interested representative group met with the Director of Keystone Residential Facility who said, “People would like to give holiday gifts but they have no funds to purchase them.” Artist members of the group spoke right up responding, ”We could make gifts.” Three sites were chosen for gift making nights. Tables were set up where participants designed and painted T shirts, created cards and made scarves. Raging Grannnies sang, cookies arrived and a party broke out! Everyone in the pilot group agreed that the enthusiastic response revealed an unmet need. Thus, weekly art classes were started.

Eight years later, arts classes are being held in as many as eight locations weekly. Art classes and shows, poetry readings, photography, creative writing and drama as well as the popular annual holiday gift making events constitute the growing life of the Circle of Fiends for Mental Health. Community volunteers and University students become the teachers and assistants as well as friends and mentors of the participants. Community groups donate rooms for classes, art supplies, parking, food for events and valuable helpers. The Kirkland Arts Center donates a scholarship to one member every quarter.

Circle of Friends’ goal is to become a “consumer run organization”. Volunteers with fundraising skills, community members who can help showcase the many skills of the students to the public, volunteer board members – we need you to enlarge our Circle of Friends.