For those of us who make art, there is often in the making a deep and profound satisfaction. Indeed, it can be said that there are therapeutic elements to the act of creation. I also realise, from speaking with medical practitioners as well as from my reading, that art can also be used diagnostically in the treatment of some mental illnesses. There are also additional benefits to having the service users make art in that it helps build of a positive self-image through creative achievements.

Out of these realisations art-related medical professions have developed, such as art therapy or occupational therapy. Actually occupational therapy has a fairly long history, dating back to the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th Century. Art therapy developed more recently. As I understand it, it began in the 1940s. Both seem to have similar goals and are typically used in the mental health professions.

The use of art in the treatment of the guests at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute is, by now, a well-established practice and once again, the facility is exhibiting the results of their efforts in the Onions Gallery at the Bermuda Society of Arts. I was enthusiastic about their exhibition last year. I am even more impressed with this year's show.

I noted with this year's exhibition a variety of techniques and media. For example, some expressed themselves through creative writing. Others used photography, drawing or painting. Then there were various craft arts, such as ceramics or fashion design. All are useful in the creative process and in providing a means of self expression.

The programme at MWI is under the direction of trained staff including Teresa Law, Tom Raig, Sarai Nyabanga and Troy Farnsworth. Volunteers also assist and one in particular is notable. I refer to deputy chief photographer at The Royal Gazette, Tamell Simons. We know him as a gifted photographer but beyond that, he is a very special teacher of photography. He seems to have all the necessary attributes needed for effective teaching a broad knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, his subject; good communication skills and a highly developed sense of humour. He is obviously a people person and the service users at MWI all seem to respond to his positively infectious personality. Ami Zanders, I understand, is also a volunteer instructor in the area of fashion and in that, the guests have created wonderfully expressive items of clothing, including shoes. Other volunteers are Karen Dyer and Moffat Makomo.

I noticed that in conjunction with Tamell Simons' photographic instruction, he makes use of field trips, especially to St. George's. The art students seemed very responsive to the picturesque old town and under his instruction they were able to compose some credible compositions, including photographs of St. Peter's, the Unfinished Church, as well as Somers Garden.

I am uncertain about what perceptions may be held by the general public, regarding MWI, but in case there is the idea that MWI's guests are limited, that may not be the case at all. This exhibition puts the lie to that. I am told that their mental or emotional challenges are wide-ranging, but should not be considered an indicator of intelligence. Given the difficulties of life, ordinary individuals, may encounter traumatic circumstances, sometimes causing depression or some other emotional difficulty. The fact is these illnesses are treatable and curable. Periodically, however, individuals who we know as educated professionals such as lawyers, professors, doctors and so on, may be guests at MWI. No one is necessarily immune from life's challenges.

This discussion, however, generates questions such as: what is normal? Who is normal? Normal, which is related to norm, implies being average and I suppose that some feel comfortable being just that. But many want to be anything but average. Being average sounds boring, to say the least. When it comes down to it most of us are probably far from normal although functional in society. I read recently a reference to a report by professor Michael Fritzgerald of Dublin's Trinity College who, after examining the lives of such notable achievers as Thomas Edison, Oscar Wilde, Lord Byron, Jules Verne, Che Guevara, James Dean and Picasso, concluded that these had or displayed symptoms of ADHD. Other mental health practitioners have concluded that such artists as VanGogh, Gauguin, Edvard Munch and Jackson Pollock were bipolar. In other words mental challenges, far from negating creativity, may actually assist the process.

This is a fairly large exhibition, actually too large for me to cover every work or artist, but several stand out. Betty Ann Pierre's screen print series of a jug is of special interest, as are Alana Dill's cubist style paintings.

Gladwin Daniels also has a special gift for ink drawings. His bold delineations of people in black and white are noteworthy. The exhibition itself is the culminating act of creation for the service users. It provides an opportunity for these artists to see their work in a finished state and as a group exhibition. I can only imagine that this in itself is very rewarding. It is an unusual exhibition and one I find fascinating for these artists bring to us fresh perspectives of our Island community.

The exhibition continues through next Tuesday.