“Play”

​​​“Creating is a great way to learn about yourself, your friends and your family…reaching out to others by creating and exploring art is also a great stress buster!” – Stomper Participant

Power of Art

Art is a powerful medium for the expression of thoughts and ideas. It has a way of inspiring us, uniting us, and reminding us that we are not alone on our journeys. 

This stomper, named “Play,” has a simple message to spread: Make time to try new things, create, and connect with those around us. Art, music, poetry, and other forms of creative expression can speak to our own inner voice and be lifelong sources of resilience, self-confidence and happiness.

Creating Play

“Play” was created by artists of all ages who live or go to school in Centre County. This Stomper was made possible due to the generous support of the Julian Woods Community and friends of John Mangan.

Artists throughout our community came together to discuss the importance of mental wellness and to engage with one in other through the use of art. Each piece of this Stomper tells a story of a brave individual. ​

Stomper Play and it’s story was unveiled on May 1, 2018 during an exhibit at the State College Municipal Building designed to spark conversations about mental wellness for Mental Health Awareness Month (May).

Our Conversations:

How can we encourage and facilitate creative expression across our community?

• • ​”Providing more opportunities for getting together”
  • “Open up, create, and play together!”
  • “By encouraging participants to use art forms to share ideas and concepts.”
  • “Promoting more opportunities to create.”
  • “Putting an emphasis on the arts starting at a young age.”

‘Play’ was made possible due to the generous support of the Julian Woods Community and friends of John Mangan.

Our Artists: Marisa Vicere, Chris Bittner, Mel Forkner Lesher, and Nancy Vicere

Curriculum Development: Marisa Vicere

Our Partners: Deb Fisher, Julian Woods Community, Friends of John Mangan