Pillows of Unrest Project
A plain white pillowcase and a pack of colored Sharpies; that is what the clients of Fulton State Hospital use to depict their struggles with mental illness and/or developmental disability and their stories of recovery. It all began with Marty Martin-Forman, Chief Operating Officer, and Sharon Britten, Client Advocate, attending a conference of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, focusing on the reduction of seclusion and restraint. The Pillows of Unrest project was described at a presentation given by Gayle Bluebird, a renowned expert in the use of art therapy in mental health treatment. Ms. Martin-Forman and Ms. Britten brought the idea back to Fulton State Hospital, where it was shared with the facilities’ Strategic Planning Team. The project quickly took on a life of its own.
Every client was given the opportunity to participate in the project, though participation was strictly voluntary. They were given the opportunity to draw, write, or otherwise decorate a pillowcase in whatever way they felt would represent their struggle of living with a mental illness and/or developmental disability and their recovery.
The clients responded very positively to the opportunity to participate in the project. Their artwork is as varied and unique as the individuals themselves. Some wrote their own words; others copied a poem or prayer; still others drew their story or something symbolic of their journey. Many clients came with an exact plan of what their pillowcase would look like. When asked, client after client could share the detailed explanation of how their artwork represented their individual story.
One inspiring aspect of this project was that clients could sign their artwork that others would see. Too often in an effort to protect clients, by maintaining their confidentiality, they become unnamed entities. Many clients proudly signed their name to their artwork, often John Hancock style, so everyone could see it. The pillowcase for each respective unit was displayed in a common area that family members were able to view. Multiple family members commented at check-in that their relative had told them of the display and/or artwork. Clearly, they wanted to share their story and their creation with those most important to them.
The Pillows of Unrest Project made its debut at the consumer conference, “Real Voices – Real Choices: Expanding our Vision,” August 23-25, 2009. Ms. Britten provided a presentation on the project including images of pillowcase artwork and a display of 50 or so pillowcases. Attendees were given the opportunity to complete their own pillowcase art.
Since then, the pillowcases have been displayed at various hospital associated events including the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours held in the main canteen at FSH and at the Bluegrass & BBQ event sponsored by Fulton State Hospital Foundation. The pillowcases have also been displayed at unit Open Houses enabling family members to view the artwork. Additionally, photos of the pillowcase display have been displayed on the Deaf Services website, as a virtual art display at the Alternative 2009 Conference, and on the Altered States of the Arts website.
