"True expression comes out of faith. At Workman Arts this is proven every time someone puts pen to paper, to write a play, draw a picture, compose a piece of music, take a workshop, to be themselves. All these activities are brought to a larger public in the form of art exhibitions, a film festival, the staging of plays; music; writing and many other venues; like the pictures that hang here today. And yes there is a certain air of healthy competition, people trying to do the best they can.

More surprising is to see an individual whose illness is plain to see. Yet look at their art and you will be astonished; how can this be?

Over 400 people are Members at Workman Arts. We form a community of exchange, understanding, where spirit, expression and diversity, manifests, and many time small miracles do happen."

- Peter Smith, Workman Arts Member

The mission of the Workman Arts Project is to support aspiring, emerging and established artists with mental illness and addiction issues who are committed to developing and refining their art form and promoting a greater understanding of mental illness and addiction through film, theatre, painting, music and the literary arts.

Founded in 1988 the Workman Arts Project of Ontario (Workman Arts) on the principle that the creative process is integral to the quest for personal and spiritual development. Workman Arts is a not-for-profit professional arts company working in partnership with and located in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto's Art and Design District.