Jacksonville nonprofits, artists bring awareness to mental health through murals

In front of an old church building on Timuquana and Blanding Roads on the Westside in Jacksonville, you will find a new, brightly colored mural that is hoping to raise awareness about mental health in the community.

The building is home to Inspire to Rise, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps people who struggle with substance misuse and/or mental health and assists individuals in their personal growth and overall wellness.

The mural is a collaboration between Inspire to Rise, and the nonprofit organization Hearts 4 Minds, whose mission is to create awareness and remove the stigma of mental illness and help prevent suicide.

The mural was created by Heartspace Art. The husband-and-wife team specialize in murals, public art, and events that inspire human connection, and a connection to nature. Most of their art features environmental scenes. The mural on Timuquana includes a lotus flower on a lily pad, rays of sunshine, and dragonflies, with a large mandala in the background.

“The architecture of this building is really cool, so the art is really creating an entire immersive experience that anyone who’s going by here is seeing, and then being engaged with the mission of Inspire To Rise and Hearts 4 Minds,” said Ian Cleary, co-founder of Heartspace Art