Mental: A Conversation on Wellness of the Mind Through Art, Words, and Technology

Take the Neural Survey Down load Photos

Overview

Mental is more than an exhibition; it’s a shared space for dialogue, creativity, and care for self and community. It aims to shed light on mental health through information, immersion, and connection, bringing together diverse perspectives to explore the impact of visual and performing arts, culture, and technology on the field of mental well-being.

The short-run exhibition opens on October 24th and ends on November 6th, curated by Inceptr–WHOSA in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.

Details:

Friday, October 24th, 2025 | 6:00 PM-9:00 PM (Opening Reception with exclusive screening of "In Search of Sanctuary")

Saturday, October 25th, 2025 | 10:00 AM-6:30 PM (Dialogues and Experiences)

Location: Gallery 72 (72 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303)

Mental health is affecting communities worldwide, significantly impacting both young people and the elderly. This global crisis calls for an urgent reframing of mental health through various disciplines, stories, and cultural perspectives. This event brings together psychologists, Artists, researchers, technologists, and the community for an experience in different narratives and ideas on mental health, AI, and tech tools for wellness, as well as clinical and indigenous practices for healing.

Friday, October 24th, 2025

5:30 PM-9:00 PM 

Opening Reception with exclusive screening of "In Search of Sanctuary"

Gallery Opening | 5:30pm - 7:30PM

Gallery Opening + Welcoming artists and speakers 

Artists in Exhibition:

Kine Aw (Senegal)

Sayma Hossain (US-Bangaladesh)

Baba Ly (Senegal)

Catalina Gomez (Columbia) 

Mia Jones (U.S)

Melvin Toledo (Nicaragua) 

Barkinado Bocoum (Senegal)

Wilson Stiner (USA) Film projection

Lourde Sukari (U.S)

Jean Baptiste Djeka (Ivory Coast)

Cheickh Tidiane Keita (Senegal | Mali)

Arts without borders with AMIS (Collective Art project with local and International students - GSU and Gatech)

Exclusive Screening | 7:00PM-8:00PM

In search of Sanctuary" (15 min)

Q&A with Otis, Filmmakers and Dr. Katherine Marshall Woods

Learn more about the film Here

Networking | 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Explore art, meet artists and connect. 

ARTISTS IN EXHIBITION

Download | Post | Share

Saturday, October 25th, 2025

10:00 AM-6:00 PM 

Panels & Experiences

Global Dialogue in Mental Health | 10:30–11:30 PM

“Cross-generational and cross-cultural dialogue from psychology, culture, faith, indigenous knowledge

Moderator: 

Valerie Mills - Sr. Manager, Office of the Mayor, International and Immigrant Affairs- Welcoming Atlanta!

Panelists: 

Aicha Dramé - Founder of Nomadk - Wellness Educator and Plant Alchemist TeaRoom (Senegal | Germany)

Sinem Basaran - Training Manager, PhD research on mental health communication, stigma, and social support (U.S | Turkey)

Katherine Marshall Woods, PsyD, Director of Graduate Studies - George Washington University, Clinical psychologist (U.S)

AI, Identity and Health | 11:35–12:35 PM

Interactive Narrative, Creative Health Innovations: “Digital spaces can be extensions of belonging and sanctuary. Wellbeing apps for the younger 

generation, AI in health, creative innovations.

Moderator:

Dr Hartmut Koenitz, President of ARDIN - Association of researchers of Digital Interactive Narrative. (Germany | U.S.A)

Panelists: 

Christopher Martinez - Co-founder Ziora copilot mental health app (Mexico)

Jessica Jackson, Clinical professional counselor, founder of Jessica Jackson Counseling (U.S.A)

Dr. Nazmus Sakib, Director of the mHealth Research Lab at Kennesaw State University (Bangaladesh)

Yinka Taiwo-Peters, Product management leader, AI, tech monetization models (Nigeria | USA)

Intercultural people | 12:50–1:50 PM 

Adaptation and Living Authentically in the real world and the digital world. 

Moderator: 

Ursula B - Professional mental health activist within the Black community.

Host of the hit podcast, "Black Girls Getting Their Shift Together" (U.S.A)

Speakers: 

Chris Villongco - Psychiatrist - Morehouse School of Medicine (Phillipines | U.S.A)

Hermence Matsotsa - Culture Facilitator, Positive intelligence, Founder of Ubuntu Speaks (Gabon | U.S.A)

Matty Forde - Actor, Playwright, Founder of "Yo that's Funny" Comedy (U.S.A)

Shafic Woniewala - Case Manager | Nspire Outreach, Certified personal Trainer, Barber (Liberia | U.S.A)

Open Mic Stories 1 | 2:00PM-2:15 PM  (15 min)

Attendees share personal stories, ideas, and expressions about mental health and wellbeing.

Moderator: Matty Forde

Speakers:

Emily Carter - Founder of Wanderwing, app designed to encourage children to engage in screen-free outdoor play.

Gilberte Bastien - Deputy Director for the David Satcher Global Health Equity Institute and Assistant Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine

Experience - Sound Bath with Aïcha Dramé

2:15–2:30 PM

Museum of Care and Artist Talk | 2:45–4:15 PM 

Curating inclusive and safe spaces +  artist talk (art as vessels for release, awareness, and insights) 

Speaker/Moderator: 

Kevin Sipp , Gallery Manager and Curator for Mayors Office of Cultural Affairs 

Panelists: 

Jean Patrick Guichard - African and diaspora art collector - Artists Management

Tim Habeger - Co-Director, Chair of Arts Programming - Push Push Arts

Sebastien Essomba - International Musician

Artists in Program: Melvin Toledo, Spencer Charles, Mia Anika, Wilson Stiner

 Film Screening | 4:15–5:00 PM

Award-winning short film “What Happened Yesterday?” Story of loss, and finding meaning in remembering.

Moderator: Charles Judson - Creative Director - Film Impact Georgia

Speakers: Clive Salmon 

Open Mic Stories 2 | 5:00–5:45 PM

Collective Reflection and Renewal -  Community Sharing 

experiences and reflections on the day, sessions and Art, etc…

Moderator: Matty Forde

Closing thoughts  + Sound bath renewal | 5:45-6:00 PM

Speakers: Kevin Sipp, Stakeholders,

Experience by Aicha Dramé

END OF DAY

PANELISTS

Thursday, November 5th, 2025

Time TBD 

Artist talk

Mental is presented as part of as part of WHOSAdays, a partnership initiative to engage communities through public-access events that inspire creativity, dialogue, and connection.

TEAM:

Program Manager: Dr. Lynda Osadebe

Event Manager: Shanese Nixon

Curator (Gallery 72): Kevin Sipp

Creative Director | Curator: Eric Bomba-Ire

Thanks to the support and generosity of

Gallery Stories

Click Here to take the Neural Survey        View Gallery and Download images