Art event tackles mental health, stress among creatives in Bradford

By Chioma Obinna

In commemoration of International Stress Awareness Day themed “Promoting Mental Wellbeing and Effective Stress Management in Workplaces and Communities,” Nigerian-born UK-based wellbeing accelerator Oluwaseun Dosunmu hosted a Sip and Paint event in Bradford, West Yorkshire, aimed at promoting mental health awareness among artists and creatives.
Organised in partnership with UnseenArt by Ladi and other creative groups, the event drew participants from Manchester, Leeds, Aberdeen, Halifax, and Bradford, including musicians, poets, dancers, and visual artists. It featured an art exhibition by Elizabeth Ebisemiju, a mental health visual artist, and a wellbeing dialogue that encouraged open conversations on stress and emotional wellness.
Dosunmu, who also founded The Care Inn Centre-a wellness hub combining spa therapy with art and culture-said the initiative was designed to help artists prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing.
“We’ve realised that many creatives neglect their health because they’re deeply invested in their craft,” Dosunmu said. “We don’t rest enough or manage stress effectively. This Sip and Paint event creates a space for relaxation, creativity, and emotional support.”
Oladipo Fadairo, Creative Artist at UnseenArt by Ladi, described art as a tool for healing. “Our bodies and minds are instruments of creation-they need care too. Painting and drawing help us slow down, reflect, and breathe,” he said.
Ebisemiju noted that the event blended painting, music, and mindfulness, adding that participants found it both relaxing and inspiring.
Health professional Beatrice Iwuoha urged artists in the diaspora to embrace mental health conversations. “Many of us come from societies where silence is mistaken for strength. It’s time to unlearn that and accept that we all face stress,” she said.
Other creatives, including dancer Joachim Keke (Jojomanii) and musician Oluwatimilehin Ogunleye (TYM), stressed the need for rest, exercise, and mental health awareness within the entertainment industry. Ogunleye added that record labels and event organisers must see mental wellbeing as vital to career sustainability.
The event’s blend of art, relaxation, and dialogue underscored a growing recognition of the need for stress management and mental health support within the creative community.

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