
Seeds of Hope
Mental Health Awareness & Wellness Project


NAMI Coastal Virginia, the Season for Non-violence Collective (citizen group), and the ViBe Creative District partnered to engage the local community in a project focused on Mental Health Awareness. The project aims to remove the stigma of mental illness and create a community space of healing and hope.
Drawing inspiration from the Alfred Tennyson quote above, local artist Erika Hitchcock has created a three-dimensional mural that includes containers with seeds for the public to plant. Students at the Virginia Beach Technical School constructed wooden benches with planters to create a safe place to sit in the garden. Other local schools hosted kindness rock painting sessions to spread messages of hope and healing throughout the garden.
This collective community art project is in ViBe’s Mediterranean Parklet and Butterfly Garden located on Mediterranean Ave. between 18th and 19th Streets (between Java Surf and Seaside Harbor) in Virginia Beach. The public is welcome to come see the mural, pick up seeds, take/drop off a kindness rock, or simply use the space to reflect and find hope and healing.
While you’re there, take a picture and post it on your social media with the following: #seasonfornonviolence, #mentalhealthmatters, #namicoastalva, #notalone #seedsofhope, #seedsofhopehr
We couldn't have done this without you!
Project Leads
Erika Hitchcock, StoneWear Ceramics
Jessica Scrimgeour, NAMI Coastal Virginia
Kate Pittman, ViBe Arts District
Kay Ashby, NAMI Coastal Virginia
Teresa Stanley, Season for Nonviolence
Mural
Amanda Hitchcock
Anne Baker
Chris Jackson – 3D print of text
Erika Hitchcock – Artist
Jessica Scrimgeour
Kathleen Ashby
Marin Ellis
Patricia Leuthard
Tricia Campbell
Tylor Jessee - wood cutter
Mural Flower Painting
Alexander Lalim, Amanda Hitchcock, Anne Baker, Aubrey Gonzales, Ava Terry, Barbara Miner, Bridget Lee Cruz, Candine Padilla, Carolina Valverde, Carrie Garcia, Cassandra Spencer, Christina Zader, Isabella Evans, Isaiah Gifford, Jessica Scrimgeour, Jill Tiderman, Julie Bailey, Kathleen Ashby, Lauren Antonie, Luci Campbell, Madison Evans, Marienne Reed, Marin Ellis, Morgan Ellis, Nia Samuels, Pat Leuthard, Patty Koehler, Reagan Carson, Ruby Milliken, Sawyer Katz, Shantelle Viel, Tricia Campbell
Benches and Planters
Virginia Beach Technical Center
Flowers and Garden Maintenance
Erika Hitchcock, StoneWear Ceramics, Lynnhaven River Now
Kindess Rock Paintings
Camp JCC Kids and Simon Family JCC Seniors Club, Community rock painting at the Old Farmers Market, Community rock painting at Zero’s at the Oceanfront, Galilee Montessori School, Hermitage Elementary, Landstown High School, Mayor’s Youth Leaders in Action, Norfolk Academy Middle School, Princess Ann High School, I Need a Lighthouse Psychology Club, Season for Nonviolence Community Collective Members, Student Virginia Beach Human Rights Commissioners, W.T. Cooke Elementary, Zero’s at the Oceanfront and their staff
Facilities Use
Museum of Contemporary Art, Boys and Girls Club Rosemont, Kevin Will - Boys & Girls Club President, Claudell Clark - Executive Director and Vice President of Hampton Roads Sports Commission
Sponsors
Rose Level
Mark Stevens, Zero’s at the Oceanfront
Erika Hitchcock, StoneWear Ceramics
Wisteria Level
Jewish Family Services
Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health
Virginia Beach Wellness and Prevention Service
VB Strong Center
Hydrangea Level
Brian Benze, Inc.
Gilbert Eyecare
Heidi Kulberg
London Bridge Nursery
McDonalds Garden Center
Pattie Carroll
Patricia Leuthard
Sean Little
Wendy Brown
This project embraces every bit of the definition of "community" - we are so grateful to have had the support and hard work of so many!