Swing Paints, one of Canada’s largest manufacturers in the refinishing industry, has partnered with local nonprofit organizations Press Start and CICU to bring the powerful message of mental health awareness to the community.
The partnership resulted in a thought-provoking mural titled Mental Health and Healing, which graces the side of one of Swing Paints’ 100-year-old buildings. The mural was created in partnership with artists HAKS180 and Cedar Eve, 13 local youth organizers and the City of Montreal.
“The mural Mental Health and Healing stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of art, showcasing the nuances of our ever-changing needs and the indomitable strength of the human spirit in the face of systematic barriers to our health,” says Michelle Duchesneau, general director at Press Start. “This project emerged from our work with youth during the pandemic, a time that starkly exacerbated and made visible the severe gaps in mental health resources for QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth.”
The collaboration shows how local businesses and nonprofits can work together to support the community.
“We are proud to partner with Press Start and CICU in this endeavor to use art as a medium to address a critical issue affecting so many lives,” says Eric Chaimberg, vice president of advertising and design of Swing Paints. “Our commitment to quality extends beyond the products we manufacture, and we are excited to contribute positively to our community’s well-being. Art has the incredible power to transcend words and communicate emotions that are otherwise difficult to express. Through this mural, we hope to spark conversations, eliminate stigma and remind everyone that they are not alone in their mental health journey.”
