In winter and spring 2007, US Congressman Patrick Kennedy presented RISD Illustration students with a unique challenge. The Rhode Island representative is preparing to launch a public information campaign promoting insurance reform legislation that would require health insurance companies to provide the same coverage for mental illnesses and addiction that they do for other illnesses. In order to get the word out to the national public and to begin breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness, Kennedy sought artistic assistance from RISD students in the form of imagery — for a poster, lapel buttons, bumper stickers and other media — to represent the campaign. Competition prizes provided extra incentive, thanks to generous sponsorship from Eric Dawicki, president of the Northeast Maritime Institute.

Equitable coverage for mental illness and addiction is a subject that Kennedy speaks passionately about, and as he encouraged students to participate in “the biggest battle for civil rights and public health that we’ll see in our lifetimes,” he cited startling statistics. Approximately 75% of emergency room visits and two-thirds of auto accidents and violent crimes are alcohol- or drug-related, he noted, and mental illness — including depression, alcoholism and other substance abuse — is the most prevalent category of disease in the US. Yet historically the brain has been considered separately from the body, he pointed out, with those affected often deemed morally weak or unable to exercise self-control.

Many students seized the opportunity to support Kennedy’s cause with compelling imagery and thoughtfully developed concepts. Oil paintings, bold graphic designs and mixed-media collages were among the formats they worked with individually and in pairs. Contest organizers Robert Brinkerhoff, professor and head of the Illustration Department, and Susan Doyle-Shedd [RISD ’81, Illustration/MFA ’98, Painting/Printmaking], a critic in Illustration, provided guidance. In April Kennedy and Dawicki selected the pieces they felt had the most potential, and the top three designers (or design teams) received cash prizes; with some minor refinements, the work will soon be ready for publication and use in Kennedy’s campaign.

The winners are: Lia Marcoux ’09 IL (first place), Chad Gowey ’09 IL and Zoe Brookes ’09 IL (second place), and Susanna Vagt ’09 IL (third place).

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