Curated by: Jessica Doing, Cecilia Leon, Nora Penkoff, Kelsey Wenberg, and Summer Xue. The artwork in this gallery comes from Mendota Mental Health Institute, a community psychiatric hospital located north of Lake Mendota. Established in 1860, MMHI is the oldest hospital of its kind in Wisconsin, providing quality mental health treatment and rehabilitative services for patients suffering from a variety of complex illnesses and behavioral problems. The clinic has been recognized as one of the most progressive and advanced psychiatric hospitals in the States, and continues to offer high quality care for those affected by mental illness.
This exhibition presents an assemblage of works created by patients enrolled in recreational therapy programs, where participants are encouraged to express themselves creatively through art making. It is our hope that these pieces will offer a unique visual perspective from patients staying at Mendota Mental Health Institute – voices largely unheard by those of us living across the lake.