My Voice, My Say! was a community arts initiative by Centre[3] for Artistic + Social Practice in Hamilton, Ontario, developed in partnership with the Mental Health Rights Coalition (MHRC). This project brought together individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges to create personal digital stories, fostering empowerment and challenging societal stigmas.
Over an eight-week period, participants collaborated with digital artists Jennifer LaFontaine and Emmy Pantin to craft 2-5 minute multimedia narratives. The process involved open discussions to identify themes such as institutional experiences, interactions with law enforcement, language, empowerment, and shared experiences. Participants engaged in scriptwriting, storyboarding, and the collection of personal media — photos, videos, artwork, and sound — to construct their stories. They also learned video editing and sound design techniques to bring their narratives to life.
The culmination of the project was an interactive exhibition at Centre[3], using sensor technology to engage audiences with the digital stories. The exhibition not only showcased the participants’ work, but also provided them with additional experience in contemporary artistic practices. Following its run at Centre[3], the project aims to be disseminated more broadly to inspire dialogue and encourage participation in the arts across the country, thereby challenging prevailing stereotypes and stigmas associated with mental illness.
By merging art and mental health advocacy, My Voice, My Say! empowered individuals to share their stories, fostered community engagement and contributed to a more inclusive understanding of mental health in Hamilton and beyond.
![A group of people stand and talk inside Centre[3]'s gallery. Outside on the glass window, white text reads: "My Voice, My Say! May 5 - May 31. A Community Arts Project that merges the sectors of art and mental health".](https://centre4arts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/My-Voice-My-Say.jpg)
