Located in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, J. Pepin Art Gallery was founded in September 2013 by Jennifer Pepin who lives with bipolar disorder. After personally experiencing prejudice and witnessing the negative perception many have of mental illness, she decided she would open an art gallery to reframe the perception of mental illness to be one of mental health. Along with their work, the artists share their own journeys with mental health creating a much needed dialog.
We all have a mental health, as we do a physical health, and we shouldn't be ashamed to talk about it. Jennifer wants to set that example and create an environment where it is safe to talk about. It is important people have tools to support their mental health and for many that is creativity. Jennifer hopes this gallery will inspire people to find their own ways to maintain good mental health whether that be through art or something else and that it empowers people to tell their story and look at mental health in a different way.
Represented Artists
Alexandra Petersen, Cammy Davis, Cher Odum, Chris Foster, Chuck Sites, Ed Peterson, Jennifer Pepin, Jeff Petersen, Karen Cruickshank, L McDonald, Lynda Sprecher, Mary Louise Anderson, Rachel Escoe
