UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The HUB-Robeson Galleries presents "The Anxiety Project," works by William Doan, professor of theatre at Penn State, on view daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in HUB Gallery and online through March 14.
Drawing, performing, and sharing have helped Doan – and others – cope, he said. Therapeutic and alleviating symptoms, drawing, performing, and storytelling have helped Doan to imagine his mental health, rather than to be defined by mental illness. "The Anxiety Project" invites others to draw for their mental health.
In addition, Doan will speak about the project during the free NoonTimeU webinar series, "The Anxiety Project: An Artist’s Look at Mental Health and Wellness," which will air from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 28. Register here for NoonTimeU.
While a pandemic, nationwide protest and uprising, a presidential election and cascading challenges face individuals and communities across the globe, many of us have struggled with our mental health. Despite the prevalence and normalcy of these feelings and experiences, stigma continues to follow mental illness, according to Doan.
“I’m excited, and a bit nervous, to see how the drawings speak to people in a gallery setting,” said Doan. “I’ve really only shared them in performance and via my Instagram site. I never really thought of them as exhibition material. For me, drawing every day, whether it’s with or without a specific goal, is critical to staying focused on my mental health. For others, our students in particular, maybe it’s cooking, playing an instrument, dancing, making something with their hands — anything creative can be liberating and help you take care of yourself.”
Doan is a professor of theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture and director of the Arts and Design Research Incubator (ADRI) at Penn State. He served as the Penn State Laureate for 2019-20 and has also served as artist-in-residence for the College of Nursing.