Exhibition at Caplan Art Designs in Portland in June

June 1st – June 30th, 2023

First Thursday Opening Reception: 6-8 pm, June 1st, 2023

Caplan Art Designs, Portland, OR

We live in a time of an unprecedented mental health crisis among people of all ages. Rates of depression tripled amount US adults during the first year of the pandemic. In 2021, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a public health advisory regarding the current epidemic of the diseases of despair, such as addiction, depression and suicide, and mental fragility in society particularly among young adults.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Miller began investigating the role of spirituality in psychology through the lens of science in the 90’s. Her studies have revealed that personal spirituality may cultivate well being. Miller describes what she calls the awakened brain inherent in us, how we each have a natural capacity to perceive a greater reality and consciously connect with the life force the surrounds and imbues us. Using MRI scans in her recent studies, Miller discovered that individuals at high risk for depressive illness who prioritize their spiritual lives have a thicker cortex in certain parts one their brains, making them more resilient to depression. Being spiritually aware, her studies have found, robustly protects one against the diseases of despair.

This new body of work, titled Verdancy Within, reveals the inner worlds as vibrant healthy landscapes, exploring how the inner realms are like gardens that may be cultivated when one is spiritually engaged.

Caplan Art Designs is located at 1323 NW 16th Avenue #1001
NOTE: ENTRANCE to the gallery is on NW Pettygrove between 16th & 17th Avenues