POUGHKEEPSIE – O+ (pronounced oh-positive) hosted a forum in Poughkeepsie Thursday evening in advance of the O+ Festival taking place in the city today and tomorrow.
The discussion entitled “Educate and Activate” brought healthcare providers, non-profits and Mayor Robert Rolison together to address mental health issues and a housing crunch that affect citizens of all income levels and sought to find creative solutions.
“Shining that positive light on communication and discussion and bringing different parts of the community together to talk about things to improve the situation and the lot of different people, but also at the same time beautifying the City of Poughkeepsie because art is so important to the growth of the city and its revitalization,” Rolison said.
The forum was the lead-in to Friday and Saturday’s festival in which three mural artists will join with 20 bands and solo musicians in a festival of art, music and wellness.
In exchange for their performances and artwork, participants will receive complimentary health and wellness care in the “O+ Arists’ Clinic” staffed by volunteer providers under the supervision of Clinic Director Shannon Donnell.
Rolison called last year’s event a success and looks forward to the event returning saying that “art is important to the city” and the festival highlights that. The mayor cited two new murals being painted for the festival; one on the back of the Main Printing building and another on a building at the intersection of Main and North White streets.
Rolison stressed the importance of the festival for the performers and attendees saying “it combines art for the community and healthcare for artists who might otherwise go without it.”
Information on the festival can be found at opositivefestival.org/Poughkeepsie
