Wellbeing

One of the backbones of the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival is our belief that the act of being creative is good for our mental health. One in five New Zealanders have a serious mood disorder and in 2019 suicide rates rose to an all time high. We are particularly aware of these figures, having  had thirty years of rural communities over represented in the statistics. We believe that as a supportive rural community we can help each other. By putting on a festival that is positive and encouraging, we hope to do just that. The act of making art can switch our focus, even for a time, away from negativity and stress towards something engaging and explorative. By doing we can build a space in which we can become absorbed by the simple art of making. 

Our mental health advocate Rick Wallace says that art has helped him tap deeply into his creative spirit and in turn it has nurtured his well being. Rick has  bipolar and his journey to understanding his condition has been long, and at times extremely hard. He he says he has gained a lot more empathy for others as a result

“Today I see my bipolar as a rare gift.” 

“I did make some sacrifices, but I am a better person who is more caring and empathetic toward others as a result. I feel fortunate and thankful.” 

Rick makes sculptures now and will be displaying some at a stall at this year’s festival. Seek him out, talk to him about his incredible journey of hardship and joy and marvel at his creativity. 

“My primary focus for helping people on their journey to improved wellbeing, is encouraging them toward creative, artistic endeavours. I believe ‘making’ has so many benefits that anyone looking for more fulfillment and happiness in their life should look at getting involved in some creative project.”