The art class has been meeting every week with participants forming new friendships and learning new skills. Their work is themed around learning and growing.

“It’s not all about art, it’s about the connection,” Mission Australia’s program manager Brittany Boniface said.

She said part of recovery was talking about feelings which could sometimes only be done through art.

“It’s a good outlet, some people have trouble expressing themselves, so they express themselves on paper. It can be therapeutic and wonderful,” Ms Boniface said.

Ms Boniface said putting those artworks, whether it’s painting, sculptures, frames or a photograph helped take recovery to another level.

“New friendships have been formed between clients and it was great to see them supporting each other through the workshops,” she said.

“By putting the artworks on exhibition, they can see their achievements on display and the local community can admire their works. It also opens the door to authentic discussion about mental health in the form of a social community event.

“We want the community to know that they are not alone and there are many accessible mental health services out there.”

The art will be on display for the next few days in the Mission Australia office at 263 Anson Street.