Joan Witte conducted a National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) fundraiser over a single week in the summer. Donors could choose one of her paintings as a gift. All of the paintings are now spoken for, and over $3,000 was raised for the Alliance. Here is the story of Joan’s son, whose life ended with his suicide in November 2019.

The event was called Between the Comments, and was in memory of her son, Nathan Vallee.   The majority of the paintings were created during the COVID-19 quarantine. If you or anyone you know may be at risk of suicide, please make sure they have the prevention line number, 1-800 273 8255, and don’t be shy to voice your concern.

Currently, Joan’s work can be seen at the Huron River Art Collective shows at Sweetwaters in Ann Arbor, where three of her paintings have sold, as well as four at Joe and Rosie’s Cafe in Dexter, showing through February 15th.  Joan promoted these exhibitions in advance on her Facebook page, Raven Loon Studio. 

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To volunteer with the Collective, ask a question or send a story, message us through our Facebook page or Group, or email SophieGrillet at gmail. Ask your artist friends to January’s talk, and to join!

“Our mission is to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for a diverse community of artists to share knowledge and opportunities that promote individual excellence, collaboration, inspire new creative perspectives, and offer engagement with the public to foster participation, appreciation, and support of the arts.“