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The Creative Well-Being Initiative

The Creative Well-Being Initiative began in 2022 with the goal of improving the mental well-being of PEI’s artists and creative sector workers. During the first iteration of the project we made connections within art and mental health communities and began discussing ways in which we could achieve our goal.

The current phase of the project has resulted in the development of a free therapy service for artists, as well as a peer support program. The project has been made possible thanks to funding from The PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being.

The End Goal
We want the arts sector to thrive on Prince Edward Island and we know that it is not fully possible without supporting artists and creatives. We are aiming to improve the mental well-being of arts workers who often struggle with the emotional strains of making creative work, difficult working conditions, and precarious employment. We hope that by supporting artists in this way, we will also be able to identify ways that artists can support the community at large  through the use of art as a means of promoting mental well-being.

Upcoming Events

Our Programming

Re-Create: navigating blocks in the creative process

Join Peer Support Worker Monica Lacey for a dynamic 5-week course designed to foster reflection and development in creative process and practice, and to help artists overcome the mental and emotional obstacles that hinder the creative flow. This program offers a supportive environment for artists at all stages to explore and dismantle their creative blocks, rediscover their passion, and unlock their full artistic potential.

Participants will engage in a series of guided exercises, including mindfulness practices, free writing, and intuitive art-making, aimed at identifying and addressing personal blocks to creativity. The course features interactive discussions on topics such as overcoming self-doubt, managing perfectionism, and embracing vulnerability in art.

Join us to be in community with other artists and creatives, rekindle your creative spark, and move forward with a fresh perspective on your artistic journey.

Dates & location: TBA

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Participants are asked to commit for the full session to the best of their ability.

Please email monica@creativepei.ca to sign up or with any questions.

Free Therapy Program

Creative PEI has contracted Our Landing Place to develop a free therapy program specifically tailored to the needs of artists and culture workers. For more information on program eligibility and to apply please visit ourlandingplace.com/creative-wellbeing

Field Trip Group

Have you ever wanted to attend a workshop, exhibit or activity, but going by yourself has felt daunting? “Field Trip” is a new group for artists and makers to experience creative offerings across the Island together!

Facilitated by peer support worker Lokki Ma, participants will meet at a predetermined spot and attend the event together.

The “Field Trip” group will attend a mixture of free and priced activities. This group will provide you with an opportunity to build community, nourish your creativity, and perhaps even learn something new! There will also be time afterwards to debrief about the experience in relation to your creative practice, but this is optional.

Upcoming dates: TBA

Sign up and find out more by filling out this Google form.

Artist Peer Support Program

Creative PEI has two Peer Support Workers on staff. The goal of peer support is to create a safe space for creatives to gather to discuss the intricacies of working in the industry (i.e. burnout, creative blocks, instability of work, etc.) There are currently two groups that meet bi-monthly, one in Charlottetown and one in Summerside.

Summerside Artists and Creators Peer Support Group

Who is it for?

Artists and creators who sell their work.

Is there a cost?

It is free to attend.

When is it?

The first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Where is it held?

At the Summerside Rotary Library on 57 Central St. in the Key Room on the second floor.

What can I expect?

  • A large table in the centre of the room with chairs placed around the table.
  • Brown kraft paper on the table. Pastels, colouring pencils, markers and collage-making supplies.
  • Hot water, tea and hot chocolate with compostable cups are provided.
  • A confidential, welcoming and casual environment.
  • Folks can stay for the entire session or leave when they need.
  • A wide-ranging conversation about life and work as a creative.
  • There is no expectation to share but everyone will have an opportunity to share.

What do I bring?

Folks are welcome to bring an existing project or sketchbook -anything that helps you feel comfortable and a mug or reusable cup for a hot beverage if you have one.

Contact the group’s facilitator:

If you have additional questions or would like to be added to the group email, please do not hesitate to contact Lokki Ma – lokki@creativepei.ca.

Accessibility – Summerside Library

Video Tour – Parts 1 and 2

Our Peer Support Workers

Monica Lacey is a Canadian/Italian multidisciplinary visual artist, writer, curator, educator, and community-builder. She is driven by curiosity, service, and the pursuit of beauty in all its forms, prioritizing connection and communication in her life and work.

Monica has taught Yoga, literacy, and art to students of all ages for charitable organizations and for the public. With a lifelong love of dance, a Qi Gong and Gong Fu practice, and a daily Kundalini Yoga practice now spanning nearly 20 years, Monica is passionate about the power of movement and meditation to heal and uplift. She has developed many programs and opportunities for the visual art community in PEI through her former role as Executive Director for this town is small inc. and currently through independent curatorial projects including the Fitzroy St. Tiny Art Gallery. Monica looks forward to supporting the well-being of island artists in her new role as a Peer Support Worker for Creative PEI.

She lives with her family on unceded Mi’kmaq territory and enjoys outdoor roller skating and swimming in the ocean in her free time.

Lokki Ma grew up in PEI and worked in professional theatre for over 15 years in Toronto before moving home in 2021.

Lokki has provided 1:1 support and facilitated peer support groups with the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network in Ontario and co-facilitated compassionate care workshops through Sunnybrook Hospital to help healthcare professionals improve the care of bereaved families.

She is looking forward to meeting artists across the Island and working to improve our collective mental health!

Contact

For more information contact the Project Coordinator JoAnna Howlett at joanna@creativepei.ca.

Other Mental Health Supports

In Person Mental Health and Addictions Open Access Counselling

Open Access Counselling offers walk-in 60 minute counselling sessions across Prince Edward Island. Further assessment, use of different approaches to therapy, or referral to a specific service can be carried out if you and your clinician agree they are necessary. For hours and locations please refer to the following link:

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-and-addictions-open-access-counselling

 

PEI Toll-free Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line

1 833-533-6983

The Toll-free Mental Health and Addictions phone line “provides Island residents access to a trained mental health professional 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This service assists in the moment when help is needed and acts as a referral source for those who may need longer-term or more in-depth assistance by linking them to appropriate programming and supports, including clinical teams who can provide in-person services at one’s residence.”

 

Bridge the gApp

Bridge the gApp is “a new way to connect with guidance and support for mental health and addictions.” The site offers educational videos in their Knowledge Centre on a variety of topics such as depression, coping with grief, burnout, etcetera, as well as a service directory organized by county as well as some online programs.

https://pei.bridgethegapp.ca/adult/

 

CMHA-PEI Learning, Training & Support Hub

The Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Branch offers free courses, webinars, workshops, supports and events to Islanders on a variety of mental well-being topics. Check out their website for upcoming sessions.

https://pei.cmha.ca/our-programs/cmha-learning-training-support-hub/

 

AFC

AFC is an organization that supports Canadian arts and entertainment industry workers by helping them access supports and services that maintain their health, dignity and ability to work. AFC has created Navigator, a free, personalized, confidential assistance service that connects arts and entertainment industry workers to mental health resources, programs, and supports.

https://afchelps.ca/resources/navigator/