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

Monarch Memory
Over the years, just the thought of my father's choices made me feel as if I couldn't breathe, leaving me Read more
What I See
My name is J.B. I have been diagnosed with manic depression. Although I believe I am perfectly normal, I have Read more
Alien Launch Pad???
I have had many problems in my life since my LSD overdose. I have had many social problems and trouble Read more
God Bless Us All
I drew this picture of the cross with angel wings for everyone because it was for each and everyone that Read more
For Love of Little Webfeet & Hands
I've lived a life with intense emotionality and disordered thought content since my earliest memory. My skill at devising a Read more
Puzzle Pieces
I have had many hardships since being diagnosed with a mental illness. I am now living in an independent apartment, Read more
By the Shore
I have been a member of the SOMI Club for eight years. I work hard at helping keep the SOMI Read more
Love
I have struggled with anger and the symptoms of my illness. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I would get Read more
Hacky Sack
I was very good at basketball in high school. I did not get to play in college because I started Read more
My Soul Dove
I have had obstacles my whole life. I was born with a speech impediment. I never got speech therapy, or Read more
Breaking Out of Depression
Missing Marlon Breaking Out of Depression $5 Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Show: https://forms.gle/qeWCWwYgrAo99wEi6 Read more
Swirls
Art helps me cope with my problems and when I feel I am being mistreated. It is a coping skill. Read more
Mental Illness 2
Growing up gay and with mental illness in Alabama in the 1980s was a major challenge. I denied my mental Read more
A Dream
I see things come to me. I'm proud of anything I get. Trust God to do what you need Him Read more
Beauty in Colors
I like to be called Flo. I live in a Montgomery ARC group home with my roommate. I have a Read more
Life Gives Sight
I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was about 15 years old. It took me a long time to accept Read more
Biden and Harris
I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type about 24 years ago. I lost my wife to bipolar disorder several Read more
Blue Bird
I have schizophrenia. I have been committed to Bryce Hospital six times. I relocated to Florence, Alabama in 1996 and Read more
Tree
Art is a good way to express myself. I took art for three years. My last class was AP Art. Read more
In Flight
My name is Randy and I have faced many obstacles in life including my mental illness diagnosis. It has been Read more
Pretty Colors
Missing Charlotta Pretty Colors $5 Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Show: https://forms.gle/qeWCWwYgrAo99wEi6 Read more
The Word of God
I have faced many obstacles in my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and stressors. I have faced physical Read more
The Simple Life
I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. It disrupts my life in many ways. Since starting my medication things have improved greatly. I Read more
Alan Parsons Project
I had to move into a group home and couldn't live by myself anymore. I also used to drive my Read more
Smiling
I have schizophrenia. I have got into a lot of trouble in my life but I am not like I Read more
Red Bird
Thank you for allowing me to present my artwork. I am a Peer Support Specialist at East Alabama Mental Health Read more
Black Butterfly
Missing Anthony Black Butterfly $5 Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Show: https://forms.gle/qeWCWwYgrAo99wEi6 Read more
Clouds
Missing Brian Clouds $5 Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Show: https://forms.gle/qeWCWwYgrAo99wEi6 Read more
Triangles of Color
I attend the Montgomery ARC Burgess Center. I have a diagnosis of intellectual disability and mood disorder. During my spare Read more
Pink Sea
Missing Jackie Pink Sea $5 Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Show: https://forms.gle/qeWCWwYgrAo99wEi6 Read more
Riverbank
I was the captain of my high school football team and was on track to play football in college. After Read more
Coming into the Clouds
I have been in Bryce Hospital for a long time. I recently finally got out and I'm staying in a Read more
Sailboat
My art began four years ago. It has helped me In my recovery. Art helps me focus. I relax, have Read more
Emotions
I have bipolar disorder and have been doing art for 15 years. It has helped me through a dark time Read more
Eye Am
A 28-year-old male who has been at Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility for 1 and a half years and is Read more
Android Jellybeans
One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was not being good enough to make the track team in Read more
Fishing
I started when I was very young, a kid. Sometimes I get into a dark stage. Art, I guess made Read more
Seagull Over Mobile Bay
I have been coming to SOMI Club for many years. I am committed to helping share the daily tasks at Read more
It’s All About My Mother
Missing Mary It’s All About My Mother $5 Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Read more
Saban
The thing that inspired me to draw is the need to have a positive mindset, which I found that by Read more
Tennessee River Bluff
I have had a mental illness for several years. I was homeless, in the hospital many times, and all alone. Read more
Potted Flowers
I have never had any formal art training. I first started doing art In Miss Jane's class. Painting art helps Read more
Seagulls
I started doing art for fun. I have been doing art for some time. I have never had any formal Read more
Imaginary City
I have been touched by the resilient, inspiring community of the members and others involved with the SOMI Club. I Read more
Cupcake Delight
I have had a mental illness for as long as I can remember. I have had a hard time in Read more
Chasing Rainbows
I started in this life as a child growing up in Maryland. I’m the middle of three boys. My parents Read more
Swan
I am inspired to do art. It calms my spirit and I feel relieved when involved in art activities. Junior Read more
Eggs
When I was in prison I started doing art. It made me feel outstanding and showed my abilities. My art Read more
Banana Man
I like to be called an Artist. I attend The Montgomery ARC Burgess Center. I have a diagnosis of intellectual Read more
Dreams of the Butterfly
Missing Shelia Dreams of the Butterfly NFS Is this one your favorite? Cast your vote for the Best in Show: https://forms.gle/qeWCWwYgrAo99wEi6 Read more
African Dude
I have struggled with the symptoms of my illness. I was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Read more
Big Reminder
I started getting interested in art in the third grade. Doing art helps me in my coping skills. It helps Read more
Good vs Bad
I have been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, anger outbursts, and bipolar disorder. I have faced many obstacles in my life Read more
Red Flowers
I started doing art in the first and second grades. Colors inspired me to do art. I have paranoid schizophrenia. Read more
Hidden Kitten
I attend the Montgomery ARC Burgess Center. I have a diagnosis of intellectual disability. I enjoy watching the TV channel Read more
Pretty
I have been coming to SOMI Club for a long time. I like wiping the tables and having fun with Read more
Beach House
My diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder. I have been in and out of hospitals for about 15 years and was in Read more
House
The art workshop was my first time doing art. It helped keep me calm. The painting today tells me to Read more
RTR
Missing Springer RTR $1 Read more
Black Knight Warrior
I was self-taught to do art. I used watercolors, pastels, and crayons in my art. I started as a young Read more
Spring at It's Best
I have schizophrenia. I had a hard time growing up and most of the time I felt like people didn't Read more
Insects
Art Inspires me. It is beautiful and helps me see how I view the world outside and inside me. I Read more
Lines I Like
I have never done art, this is my first. I tried to give It a try to see if I Read more
Chameleon Fish
I was born three months prematurely and raised in Mobile. I have always had to work much harder to overcome Read more
Unexplainable Thoughts
Dealing with anxiety has always been hard. It does not help that we are in the middle of a worldwide Read more