Light in the Forest is a multifaceted mental wellness program that places it's self at the intersection of Art, Nature and Mental Wellness. Including a multimedia live presentation, A stand-alone interactive exhibit, Two Children's Books, An App and an educational curriculum that is in development. Scroll down for further reading or explore the links above.
Additional Performers:
Lighthouse HRA Choir, directed by Katrina Mills Pecknold. Accompanied by Cynthia Davies. Violins, Members of the HRA Violin Cadenza. |
Holly's Light in the Forest Project being honoured during the Nova Scotia House of Assembly Proceedings
“Art has the power to heal and help people express emotions they sometimes cannot easily share. The Province is happy to support Light in the Forest which provides mental health supports in an engaging and interactive way, while spreading a message of hope and wellness that resonates with many Nova Scotians,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. Holly on CTV Halifax, Breakfast Television.
Holly is a proud recipient of Kings Charles III Commemoration Medal.
|
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
“Not all mental health support comes from the formal healthcare system. Holly Carr’s Light in the Forest is a perfect example of how art can be healing. I had the opportunity to attend Light in the Forest at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History earlier this year and I can confirm, the experience just feels good. The Province is pleased to support Life in the Forest expansion so more Nova Scotian's can enjoy the benefits of experiencing Light in the Forest.” -- Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
" Hopeful messaging, story telling with a message of hope resonates with all ages."
E.M.
E.M.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
"Everything about this reminds me of the journey to here..Holly.. you helped me understand ..from cocoon to butterfly."
M.H.
M.H.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
" I was tempted to come a second time just to see the bit with the luna moth!'
M.B.
M.B.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
" I had fun trying to guess the eyes relative to reading your Light in the Forest book to my granddaughter! What a wonderful show , and such a beautiful way to show light, and overcoming fears...I loved it!"
T.W.
T.W.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
"Brendan was enthralled. Thanks for making our community kinder and gentler."
K.S.
K.S.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
" I was tempted to come a second time just to see the bit with the luna moth!'
M.B.
M.B.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
"Everything about this reminds me of the journey to here..Holly.. you helped me understand ..from cocoon to butterfly."
M.H.
M.H.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
"Congratulations Holly! Light in the Forest is a beautiful show, and I was fortunate to enjoy the performance sitting beside my son and grandson!"
D.S.
D.S.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
"The experience from last night continues to visit me throughout the day... what beauty and inspiration. From the indigenous Spirit and energy to the children singing... heart is full and inspiration is high....Thank you for your grace , generosity and talent."
K.N.
K.N.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
"I feel immensely joyful to see how far it has come from the initial stage Thank you Holly Carr for shining a light on mental health through your art. I totally admire your initiative."
A.G.
A.G.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
I believe your beautiful art is saving lives, Thank you"
C.F
C.F
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Holly has Been Featured in "Women of Influence+ Click for the link.
|
Holly Carr's Light in the Forest Trailer. Click above
|
I originally created Light in the Forest as an installation for Acadia University Art Gallery. Using the experience to explore my then young son’s anxiety and my own childhood fears, taking us into the dark, ultimately finding our way back into the light using the forest and its inhabitants as a metaphor for facing and overcoming fear. I revisited and re imagined Light in the Forest after heartbreaking tragic events involving young people in our community. The concept was to shine a light on mental wellness through an immersive experience filled with the message of hope and resilience.
In 2019 (pre Covid) we launched the first Light in the Forest multimedia immersive experience in Halifax to a sold-out audience. Who could have imagined what the world had in store for us. The message I wanted to share is now even more important than ever. Light in the Forest is the intersection of Art, Nature and Mental Wellness.
The project has evolved over the last few years; it is now a multi media Immersive experience, a wellness virtual world piloted at Acadia University, an award winning children’s book and an App that I have developed with Professor Jamie Symonds and Acadia University students and repackaged by REDspace adding a professional interface. The App includes animation from the immersive experience and a mapping system programmed to link the user to wellness resources in their community and is programed with contact numbers for Mental Health resources.
There is also an educational program in development to support the implementation of wellness tools.
Light in the Forest is a culturally inclusive immersive experience. It brings forest creatures alive through Holly's artwork, with animation created with her son, Jack Bateman, who originally inspired Light in the Forest. The animation is accompanied by an original score composed by Chris Palmer, performed and recorded by the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. Enhanced by live dance and Holly's live art. Holly is delighted to showcase the talented Melissa Labrador’s traditional drumming and translation of the spoken word into Mi'kmaq.
Accompanying the Light in the Forest presentation are experiential displays that offer participants methods they can adopt to address their own mental well-being. Holly has had many great development partners over the last 6 years, Including, her non-profit partner the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, the RBC Foundation, Acadia University and The Canadian Mental Health Association (NS div) who has officially endorsed her Light in the Forest program.
In 2019 (pre Covid) we launched the first Light in the Forest multimedia immersive experience in Halifax to a sold-out audience. Who could have imagined what the world had in store for us. The message I wanted to share is now even more important than ever. Light in the Forest is the intersection of Art, Nature and Mental Wellness.
The project has evolved over the last few years; it is now a multi media Immersive experience, a wellness virtual world piloted at Acadia University, an award winning children’s book and an App that I have developed with Professor Jamie Symonds and Acadia University students and repackaged by REDspace adding a professional interface. The App includes animation from the immersive experience and a mapping system programmed to link the user to wellness resources in their community and is programed with contact numbers for Mental Health resources.
There is also an educational program in development to support the implementation of wellness tools.
Light in the Forest is a culturally inclusive immersive experience. It brings forest creatures alive through Holly's artwork, with animation created with her son, Jack Bateman, who originally inspired Light in the Forest. The animation is accompanied by an original score composed by Chris Palmer, performed and recorded by the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. Enhanced by live dance and Holly's live art. Holly is delighted to showcase the talented Melissa Labrador’s traditional drumming and translation of the spoken word into Mi'kmaq.
Accompanying the Light in the Forest presentation are experiential displays that offer participants methods they can adopt to address their own mental well-being. Holly has had many great development partners over the last 6 years, Including, her non-profit partner the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, the RBC Foundation, Acadia University and The Canadian Mental Health Association (NS div) who has officially endorsed her Light in the Forest program.
|
|