Threads Unbroken – Peter Bruun

A 2019 exhibition conceived and created by Peter about resilience in the face of trauma, mental health challenges, and the opioid epidemic.

In 2019, at the invitation of an ad hoc group of citizens concerned with the opioid epidemic and mental health crisis in Massachusetts’ Essex County, Peter Bruun was invited to lead a project to open discussions on matters too little spoken about aloud. Threads Unbroken featured art by Merrimack Valley artists and youth who in their art and lives take on behavioral health issues, sharing their stories of strength and overcoming.

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THE EXHIBITION

The exhibition included art by Annie McLoughlin, Vivian McNeeley, Bugzy Martinez, Jose Bencosme, Lexi Regan, and young people enrolled in the youth development organization Elevated Thought. It took place at the Lawrence Public Library, June 13 to September 13, 2009.

PUBLIC PROGRAM

Those featured in Threads Unbroken shared the stories behind their work, offering inspiring tales of overcoming and survival in the face of pain. The event included performances from spoken word artist Red Rose Grace, and presentations from others from the Merrimack Valley, including Sandy Guerrier, Homelessness Initiative Coordinator for Lawrence, on how homelessness contributes to (as well as comes from) trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use disorder. The event, which was conducted in English and Spanish to allow access to the region’s large Latinx population, included a variety of resource tables with information on how people can find mental health and/or substance use help or family support.

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“In its own way, the Threads Unbroken exhibition is speaking aloud of what we all in our hearts need to speak of: our secret pain, our secret shames. It is a model of a new day when speaking aloud is welcome, admirable, and healing. We need more of that.”

—Peter Bruun

VISIT THE THREADS UNBROKEN WEBSITE

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