Keywords

mental health, arts and mental health awareness, community murals, neurodivergence, neurodiversity, neurodivergent, fine arts, soft sculpture, fiber arts, digital art, digital paintings, community based practices, art based methods

Abstract

This thesis aims to provide new imagery to the conversation of mental health and neurodivergence. It does this through forms of soft sculpture, digital paintings, marker drawings, and community murals. Inspired by the practices of Keith Haring, iconographic characters are used to portray common struggles and coping habits of mental conditions in an endearing light. With the goal of social impact, this project is affiliated with the non-profit organization Providing Autism Links and Support (P.A.L.S). This partnership has given the community an opportunity to share their compassion through art and donations and uses art as a means of social impact for our local neurodivergent community. The project has seen tangible results receiving over 250 participants for its community mural and meeting fundraising goals. Providing others with new ways to discover, explain, and support the intangible struggles of mental health through art-based methods is the foundation of this thesis.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Cooper, Larry

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

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