Students' art on mental illness to showcase Monday

Oct. 04--The Cochran Gallery on Monday will host an art show displaying local talent along with a little tinsel-town style.

Some of the works show bright joy, others darkness, while some mix the two. Drawings, paintings and sculptures -- depending on the artist of each -- were crafted with a specific purpose: to show insight into mental illness, and illustrate Holden Layfield, a seemingly happy-go-lucky LaGrange High School student who struggled with schizophrenia and drug abuse before committing suicide in 1995.

Layfield will be the subject of the narrative true story film "Holden On," set to start filming in Troup County next month. The art projects are the creations of local high school students who were tasked with making original pieces for the iamholdenon artistic movement that ties into the film's premise of raising awareness of dual diagnosis -- mental illness and substance abuse -- and the upbeat personality Layfield displayed.

"This is the first original iamholdenon artwork to appear for the film and movement," said Tamlin Hall, writer and director of "Holden On."

The local art project started after LaGrange High School art teacher Elliott McHugh was approached about the idea of using art students to create original works for a fundraiser. McHugh, who actually knew the Layfields, was immediately enthusiastic about the project.

"It tapped into my memories," McHugh said when he heard the proposal. "I knew Holden as being so happy, in such a good mood. I said, 'we need to do an art show and expose the duality of mental illness.'"

He helped coordinate with the other high schools for art students to begin working on projects that reflect mental illness, like schizophrenia, and the personality of Holden Layfield. Students began working in McHugh's class weeks ago. As a group, they researched art by people with schizophrenia and talked collectively about ideas of how to show the nature of mental illness and personality of Layfield.

"Let people know what schizophrenia is and get rid of the stigma," McHugh said. "This could start a revolution in the way people see mental illness."

Matthew Fahey, who will portray Layfield in "Holden On," will be at the art show Monday for photo opportunities, complete with a red carpet. Fahey has appeared on MTV show "Awkward, " along with roles in "Grey's Anatomy," "Longmire," "Body of Proof" and "Justified."

The art pieces will be auctioned during a fundraiser set for Oct. 30.

The show is set for 4 -- 6 p.m. Monday at Cochran Gallery, 4 E. Lafayette Square. Entry is free and refreshments will be provided.

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