NHL goalie’s masks display stories of mental health

WATCH ABOVE: Local artists have been using an Edmonton Oilers goalie’s masks to share stories about mental health. Vinesh Pratap has more on the art and message.

EDMONTON — As an Oiler, Ben Scrivens’ job is to stop pucks. The intricate designs on his masks, however, have a different job.

“The point of the masks is to get people talking,” explains Scrivens. “They’re definitely the focal point for the mental health initiatives I started this year.”

Scrivens is passionate about stopping goals but he’s also passionate about stopping the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Local artists have used the goaltender’s game-worn masks as their canvas, expressing personal stories about mental health.

“I wanted to give these artists a chance to showcase their work,” says Scrivens.

“I wanted people to be able to see the artwork they’ve created, see just how talented they are as artists and as people.

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“Secondly, if we can foster some great conversations between a bunch of different facets of the community… that’s an ideal situation.”

“It’s been a great experience,” says the Oiler. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback.”

The masks have been painted by Richard Boulet and Mark Munan. Both artists live with schizophrenia.

“No one would look at a cancer patient and say ‘why don’t you just shake it off?'” explains Scrivens. “I think that we’re slowly taking steps in the right direction but we have to come a lot farther to have that same understanding about people with mental illness.”

Now the masks are part of a unique art exhibit and auction. They will be auctioned off with proceeds going to mental health organizations and the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta.

“I think that’s one of the great powers of art and sport together,” said David Candler, with dc3 Art Projects, “to communicate much greater things than just the event or the piece or the game to the rest of us in society.”

“Giving artwork the chance to speak about contemporary issues is really an amazing opportunity, both for the artists and for Ben and for the Oilers Foundation.”

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The event takes place from 5-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at dc3 Art Projects on 105 Avenue and 111 Street.

Anyone can bid on the masks at oilersfoundation.ca until March 12.

“The biggest thing I hope we get out of tonight is a lot of conversation and a lot of understanding that leaves the building,” says Scrivens.