Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs will present “When Art Speaks: A Note to Self” by Verlese Pender at the Orange County Multicultural Center Art Gallery in Orlando, Florida. An opening reception is scheduled for June 17, 2026, with the display continuing through July 14, 2026. Pender, a PhD candidate in Human Services specializing in Mental Health, developed the trauma-informed creative wellness program "When Art Speaks" to help youth and communities use art for emotional expression and healing.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the growing intersection of visual art and mental health, positioning creative expression as a tool for personal growth and community wellness. It also reflects how local government arts agencies support emerging artist-practitioners who blend clinical expertise with artistic practice, expanding the definition of who qualifies as a visual artist and what art can accomplish in public spaces.