El Camino College Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition titled "Kieva Campbell: The Sister I Never Met," featuring paintings by artist Kieva Campbell that tell the story of her sister April Savino, a teen runaway who struggled with depression and died by suicide in 1987. The show, on view through spring 2026, includes workshops and interactive stations led by participant Carrie Lockwood, who presents a coloring book called "A Book About Me" to help visitors explore emotions. The exhibition aims to address youth mental health through art.
This exhibition matters because it directly confronts the mental health crisis among young adults, using visual art as a tool for healing and dialogue. By combining Campbell's bold, hope-building imagery with hands-on workshops, the gallery creates a safe space for students to process anxiety and depression—issues that are often stigmatized on college campuses. The show demonstrates how community art spaces can serve as accessible mental health resources, bridging the gap between artistic expression and emotional well-being.