July: Intellectual/Mental Wellness
Mural : Oakland, CA
Art in many forms
Murals, canvas, music sheets, photographs, jewelry, clay, plants, sculpture, instruments, dance, textiles, and more. Art is narrated through these mediums and the viewer applies their personal understanding. This exchange between artist and beholder creates a kwentuhan, storytelling, representing ideas, experiences, emotions, and spirituality. Art enlivens. We can be stirred to feel or be nudged to critically think. Art enthralls. We are captivated by the art form and charmed to venture into our creativity. Art is generous. We interact with it on the streets, on the screen and in our own homes. Look around you. Walk through your neighborhood. Visit museums, buildings and gardens. Sit in a public space. Art is there, waiting to be witnessed. Waiting for your open heart and mind.
Kaibigan Letter
Consume Art
Visit a museum or garden
Due to COVID-19, many museums have adjusted their hours and ticket purchasing policies. Before visiting a museum, please call or check their website to see if they are open or require advance registrations. Many museums are offering virtual resources—check your local museum’s website for more information.
We know that not everyone has the monetary means to visit museums. Good news…San Francisco museums and gardens regularly host free and reduced admission days, and some days are specifically for bay area residents. Check the museum/garden website for their current hours, free and reduced admission days, and eligibility. Visit one of the museums and gardens if you live in the bay area or are planning a visit!
Maybe your local museum or garden also offers free or discounted admission days. Why not check them out and ask or visit their website?
Visit a museum through Museums for All. Those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 850 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card. Search Museums for All to find a participating museum near you!
Many museums in North America offers reciprocal membership. Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) allows museum members to take their benefits with them when they travel to other participating museums including Member general admission for two and Member discounts in stores and restaurants. ROAM was created in February of 2013 to fill a need among museums and their Members, a free reciprocal network that connects world-class institutions for the benefit of their Members. Governed by a volunteer board of Museum Membership professionals, ROAM is built to work for everyone—museums of all sizes and types. As of February 2022, ROAM has 447 participating museums from the United States, Canada, and more. Reaching 45 states and territories in the United States; 8 states in Canada.
Museum of the African Diaspora
A contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora.
Visit MoAD through Through Museums for All. Free entry is available for up to 4 individuals per EBT card.
Writing to Robust Wellness
Expressive writing, like journaling, evokes mindfulness and helps writers remain present while keeping perspective. Journaling is an opportunity for emotional catharsis, strengthens our emotional and mental health, relieves stress and boosts our immune system, keeps our memory sharp, and emphasizes our pattern and growth in adversity.
We offer prompts for inspiration to keep a journal, and unearth how your lifestyle interweaves the ten wellness dimensions.
Intellectual/Mental x Emotional x Spiritual x Social/Relational
Poetry.
Journal Prompt: What sentiment do you interpret American poet E.E. Cummings expressed in this poem? What significance does this poem have for you?
let it go – the
e.e. cummings
let it go – the
smashed word broken
open vow or
the oath cracked length
wise – let it go it
was sworn to
go
let them go – the
truthful liars and
the false fair friends
and the boths and
neithers – you must let them go they
were born
to go
let all go – the
big small middling
tall bigger really
the biggest and all
things – let all go
dear
so comes love
Contemporary Jewish Museum
makes the diversity of the Jewish experience relevant for a twenty-first century audience. They accomplish this through innovative exhibitions and programs that educate, challenge, and inspire.
Visit with free admission on the first Friday of each month! Free First Fridays are open to all visitors.
De Young Museum
The collections—encompassing American art; art from Africa, Oceana, and the Americas; and costume and textile arts —reflect an active conversation among cultures, perspectives, and time periods.
Your ticket from the De Young Museum also allows entry in The Legion of Honor for same day entry. Every Saturday the De Young offers free general admission to all residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Learn more by visiting, https://deyoung.famsf.org/free-reduced-admission.
