Nelson County’s Yellow Tulip Project kicks off the End the Stigma Art Contest to give students a chance to express mental health through art.
The End the Stigma Art Contest is currently open for submission until April 1. The Nelson County Community Impact Council has created the End the Stigma contest to give local youth an additional outlet for expression.
Olivia Raley, a member of the Council, said they wanted to create activities that will engage with young people in a number of ways. She said they wanted to create an opportunity for young people to express themselves through art — leaving the contest open to every kid and teen across Nelson County.
“That was really the goal behind an art contest, to really allow kids to have another outlet that they’re probably not getting …” she said. “… We really wanted to elicit some good art from the community and highlight how that impacts mental health and truly showing how creative these voices that are often suppressed and not looked at and not valued by the community. We really wanted to highlight that for these kids.”
The End of the Stigma Arts Contest is open to any student under 18 in Nelson County, private, public or homeschooled. The art must be centered around youth mental health. Any and all art forms are accepted from painting to sculpture to papier-mâché and more.
Kelly Huckelby, another council member, said they’re extending the opportunity to students who are homeschooled as well. She said they wanted the project to be accessible to as many local kids and teens as possible, excited to see how they express mental health through art.
Raley said any student wishing to enter a video, dance or musical piece to contact herself or Huckelby. She also emphasized they will not be accepting any AI submissions.
Raley can be reached at OliviaRaley11@gmail.com. Huckelby can be reached at Kelly.Huckelby@nelson.kyschools.us.
Students can apply online (link can be found on social media at Nelson County Kentucky Yellow Tulip Project), or dropped off at the student’s Nelson County FRYSC office. Forms can also be sent to Tri-County Kentucky United Way. More information on the contest rules can be seen on the project’s social media.
“We know from experience — and research — that engaging in creative activities like art not only helps reduce stress and build self-esteem but also encourages youth to express themselves emotionally and process their thoughts,” Laura Vessels, WellCare of Kentucky Community Engagement Coordinator, said. “The contest is designed to help our youth open up conversations about mental health, decrease stress, and foster a sense of community connection, which is so important in alleviating feelings of isolation. Ultimately, it’s another tool in our coalition’s efforts to ‘smash the stigma’ and empower young people to talk about mental health openly.”
In addition to the art contest, Yellow Tulip Week will run April 19 through April 25. Raley said there will activities for community members throughout the week, bringing them into the conversation around mental health, specifically youth mental health.
One way the organization is bringing the community is through a photo scavenger hunt. The seven-prompt hunt encourages individuals to get out, find the project’s yellow tulip hope gardens and benches and post the photos to social media.
“It’s very community-focused, of getting everyone involved and really making it fun for kids to destigmatize … mental health,” Raley said. “They’re just going to be doing it and so, subconsciously, they’re already going to be bettering their mental health and well-being, because that language is still so stigmatized, especially in our community. It’s just stigmatized. … By doing just the activities that’s the goal. If we can just provide the outlets and activities and shape it and reframe it in a different way.”
Vessels also added they will be posting daily mental health tips throughout the week. Additionally, she said Court Square will be lit up yellow and downtown Bardstown businesses will also be participating in an awareness campaign.
“We’re also working on placing additional Yellow Hope Benches throughout the community and will continue to raise awareness through our various activities,” she said. “The work doesn’t stop when the Yellow Tulip Week — and the tulips — fade; we’re committed to keeping the conversation alive and ongoing. With every step we take, we’re making progress toward smashing the stigma around youth mental health and reinforcing the message that there is always hope.”
To keep up-to-date with the Nelson County Yellow Tulip Project, follow them on Facebook or the Tri-County United Way website tricountykyuw.com/youth-mental-health.
