Since 2005, ADMH has hosted an art show at Alabama's state Capitol. Artists from around the state with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders have their abilities showcased throughout the month of May, in observance of Mental Health Month.

However, due to the limitations caused by the virus COVID-19, this year the showcase will be online only. Unfortunately, the need for physical distancing to ensure we all stay healthy and safe has caused the department to cancel the in-person show. Our priority is the health of the artists and attendees of the exhibition.

Typically we photograph the artwork as it arrives for the show but this year we did not ask the artists to send in their artwork. Please bear with this year's show as it consists of the snapshots sent in with their entries and the quality varies. (The artists are welcome to send in higher quality photos of their artwork via email - we will update the photos whenever they come in.) Please enjoy the artwork and stories from our artists.

Peggy Olson, Web Designer
334-353-7538

Art Show Details


Calls for entry go out in February each year. Please send your contact information to be added to the e/mailing list. For more information and best practices for entering the show visit Capitol Showcase.

Not all of the pieces are for sale. All proceeds go to the individual artists. If the piece you like has a price, please contact us to make payment arrangements (checks only). NFS = Not For Sale

Hello, my name is Dathan and I struggle with ADHD and bipolar disorder. The majority of my life I was a Read more
I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was 19 and I have struggled daily, in every area of my life. Read more
Life is but an obstacle. I have been given the ability to self-teach my how to do art. I love Read more
I am Andrew and I have intellectual disabilities and I often have difficulty communicating with others. I sometimes face challenges Read more
My name is Joan and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 14 years old. I have constant ups Read more
Hello, I have schizophrenia and anxiety that sometimes throws me for a curve. To help me cope with my illness I enjoy Read more
Throughout my life, I have been dealing with symptoms relating to my mental illness. Going undiagnosed for than half my life. Read more
I have obsessive compulsive disorder. My obsession and rituals have made it very difficult to live a normal life. I have Read more
I currently live in a group home in Jackson and attend The Arc of Clarke County day rehabilitation program where Read more
I was diagnosed with autism. I enjoy the socialization opportunities I have been given by the program and hope to continue Read more
I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2003 and have been attending Riverbend ever since. I have learned coping skills, the Read more
My name is Gregory and I attend the Montgomery ARC Adult Training Center via The Montgomery Hanan Center. I have Read more
My name is William. I won an art contest in third grade but didn't receive it until the fourth grade. Read more
Story Daniel Old Model T $30 Read more
My name is Derrick and I have a lot of friends. I live in a group home with a lot Read more
I have bipolar disorder and ADHD, having bipolar disorder can be pretty difficult sometimes and it can be hard to Read more
I was diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I have struggled with outbursts and anger problems. I have maintained Read more
My name is Janie and I am a self-taught artist. If I see a picture in a book or magazine Read more
My name is Kathy and I’ve gotten better with the abuse of my Dad killing my mother who was four months Read more
I have PTSD and anxiety disorder and I recently found out I have cognitive thinking disorder. I have learning disabilities Read more
I have faced many obstacles in my life related to my mental illness. Since I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I Read more
My name is Ursula, and I enjoy helping my mother, dancing to my favorite beats and being with family and Read more
My name is Lauren and I have schizophrenia. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago. One of my main obstacles Read more
I have been diagnosed with having schizoaffective disorder. I was hurt at a young age and I’ve dealt with a Read more
Since grade school I have wrestled with various learning disabilities that seemed to change my teacher's perspectives of how I Read more
I have been depressed most of my life. I've had trauma a few times during childhood. As an adult I Read more
My name is Amanda and I love to express myself through my smile. I am in a wheelchair and I Read more
My name Shanga and I’m a very bright student who attends Montgomery ARC McInnis’ Adult Training Center. Due to my Read more
For many years I lived at home with my family and then I lived for a period of time in Read more
I am an artist originally from Cordova, Alabama and now live in Huntsville, Alabama. I was first diagnosed with schizophrenia Read more
My name is Clark. I overdosed on LSD in 1991 and since then I’ve been in Mental Health Centers ever Read more
I’m Ernest and I live with my mom. I have a moderate intellectual disability and I’m also living with diabetes Read more
My name is Sharon and my picture means joy because there is fruit. Fruit symbolizes plenty and good health and Read more
My name is Emmett. I am in the school-age program at Vivian B. Adams School. I have autism, but I Read more
My name is Devyn and I communicate nonverbally. I have an iPad talking device, but I won’t use it without Read more
Hello My name is Anthony and my disabilities are anxiety, major depressive order and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I’ve dealt Read more
My name is Kendall. I have autism and communicate nonverbally. I have a few words, and can use an iPad Read more
LaQuinton attends Montgomery ARC McInnis’ Adult Training Center. I am passionate about my art and I find enjoyment in expressing Read more
I have faced many obstacles in my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and stressors. I have faced physical health Read more
My name is Debbie, I’m 46 years old and I attend Azalea Training Center in Millbrook, AL. My hobbies included Read more
I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (schizophrenia with mood swings) in 2007. When things are not going well I hear Read more
My disability is bipolar disorder and arts and crafts make me feel good. I am self-taught and enjoy the process Read more
I am 26 years old and I have ADHD and autism. I used to have a problem with anger outbursts. Read more
Story missing Terry Healing Heart 56854 $1200 Read more
My name is Deatrice. I have been participating in the 1920 Club Art Program for ten years. Doing art helps Read more
I’ve been painting for nine years, and I use acrylic paint to express and cope with my bipolar depression. My Read more
I have schizophrenia and it was a challenge for me to get well again. I really wanted to get over Read more
My name is Amber. I attend Vivian B. Adams School. I am quiet and reserved and enjoy the friends I Read more
Sometimes it is hard for me to cope with being criticized since I have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Read more
My name is Shenise and I participate at the Center of Hope. My picture reminds me of being outside in Read more
I’m Shelby, I’m 23 years old and I attend Azalea Training Center in Mill brook, AL. My hobbies included dream Read more
I have worked very hard to manage my behavior and interact with my peers. One of the biggest challenges for Read more
I have lost a lot in my life because of my bipolar disorder. I have been in and out of Read more
There are challenges we have to face every day, never give up on hope because there is always a tomorrow with Read more
I deal with anxiety and depression. I am also on the autism spectrum. I am working on how to deal Read more
My name is Tamesha and I have an intellectual disability and physical limitations. Sometimes I have difficulty expressing myself which Read more
My name is Ricky and my art has helped me in my recovery. It has helped me with depression and Read more
My name is Yunteka and I have an intellectual disability with possible autism. I am learning how to make friends Read more
I have faced many obstacles in life related to my mental illness. Since I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, I Read more
I have several mood disorders, the most problematic being self-harm. Wellstone in Huntsville gave me a lot of time and Read more
My name is Tamara, and I’m 47 years old, I attend Azalea Training Center in Millbrook, AL. My hobbies are Read more
I am Henry and both my brother and I attend the Cahaba Center and live at the group home. I Read more
I have bipolar disorder and I hear voices that get worse when I am alone. When I get depressed I Read more
My name is Alicia and I am 33 years old. With supports provided by the Arc of Walker County, I Read more
My name is Jonathan and I have paranoid schizophrenia. The obstacles I have overcome are anger and depression. My instructor Sylvia Read more
My name is Willie and I drew this picture for power. I wanted to show that we have power and Read more
My diagnosis is schizophrenia and PTSD. I was homeless for almost two years, lost my benefits, lost my check and Read more
I am Jonathan and I attend Vivian B. Adams School. I have an intellectual disability. I live with friends in Read more
I live in my own apartment and attend the Arc of Clarke County Day Rehabilitation program, where I like being Read more
For many years I lived with my family but now I live in my own apartment. I attend the ARC Read more
For most of my life I have dealt with the diagnosis of ataxia. This has affected my mobility and other Read more
Hi I’m Reed, and the biggest challenge I’ve faced is having autism. I am a very positive young man who Read more
I am Kevin and I’ve used art as a means to make me feel good. I was taught art in Read more
I currently live with my sister in our own home where we are supported by TACC staff and advocates. I Read more
I live at a group home and attend The Arc of Clarke County day rehabilitation program where I enjoy painting, Read more
I am Herbert. I work with the Van Crew at Cahaba Center. I like to enter this program and showcase Read more
My name is Patricia and I live with my mother. I enjoy helping others, my favorite activity is attending the Read more
Story missing Sarah We're All Mad Here NFS   Read more
My name is Joshua and I attend Vivian B. Adams School. I have been faced with many challenges in my Read more
I attend a training center in Millbrook, AL. My hobbies included talking on the phone, playing x-box, exploring in the Read more
I have schizoaffective disorder and I am 49 years old. I see and hear things. I come to Riverbend to Read more
My name is Kimberly. I have worked very hard to be less dependent on others. I am working on feeding Read more
My name is Jhmiyas, I am 25 years old, from Dadeville, Al. I drew a picture of Michael Jackson because Read more
My name is Annette. I have been at Cahaba Center for a long time. I love to do crafts and Read more
My name is Kim and I have intellectual disabilities and obsessive compulsive disorder. I have difficulty with verbal communication. I Read more
I have been diagnosed with having acute depression, 23 years ago my mother and father died which lead to me having Read more
I have overcome being in controlled by a family member, and I’m now free to make my own choices. Having Read more
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder several years ago after suffering through a difficult divorce. It seems I have struggled Read more
Hi, my name is Ronald. I am a member of the 1920 Club in Birmingham, AL. I have studied art Read more
My name is Chasie, the obstacles I have overcome are being angry so quickly. Art makes me feel quite and Read more
I was diagnosed with bipolar and schizoaffective disorder about 22 years ago. I lost my wife to bipolar disorder several Read more
My name is Andre and I have a mental illness diagnosis of schizophrenia. It has been hereditary throughout my family for Read more
I’ve faced many obstacles, one is which is severe clinical depression. Another is dealing with schizoaffective disorder. Prayer and my Read more
Hello, my name is Drew. My diagnosis is paranoid schizophrenia and I don't like having this illness. I have been Read more
I have schizoaffective disorder. I come to class at Riverbend. It helps me to come to Riverbend and take my medicine. Read more
My name is Diamond and I was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder. I was diagnosed at the Read more
I have faced many obstacles in my life such as getting divorced, having a car accident, and especially being diagnosed with Read more
I am on the Autistic Spectrum which can sometimes make it hard to interact with people. I am working on Read more
My name is Jimmy and I attend Adams School. I have an intellectual disability and one of my biggest challenges Read more
I have schizophrenia and depression. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1994. I am self-taught when it comes to art Read more
Hi my name is Willie and I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar since the age of one. I had Read more
The first obstacle in my life was being hit by a car at the age of 13. Followed by me Read more
I am Alisa and I have intellectual disabilities and I’m not able to use my voice. I am learning how Read more
One of the challenges I face is having an intellectual functioning disability. Despite my challenges, I love to learn new Read more
Each day I face day and night with anxiety, anger and loneliness. I try my best to be positive around Read more
I am Charles, I have intellectual and physical disabilities. My challenge is to not let my disabilities define who I Read more
I am a young adult with a mental illness and I struggle with symptoms from my illness. I live with Read more
I have schizophrenia and an intellectual disability which can sometimes make me feel both happy and sad. It makes me Read more
Hi I am Tatayana and I see death and murders and sometimes I wish I could find my dead gummy bear. Read more
I was labeled hyperactive when I was six years of age, I was considered such until they wrote me down Read more
My mental illness began to manifest itself when I was 19 years old. I began cutting and burning myself with Read more