The Art of the Minds Festival has wrapped for another year, following a week of art, music, performance, education and creative community connections.

Organisers have hailed this year’s edition of the annual festival to raise money and awareness of mental health issues as a “massive success”.

The festival started in a big way on October 7 with the return of the Mind, Heart and Body Ball, where Art of the Minds raised more than $18,000 for Foundation 61, a significant contribution to the built of its new rehabilitation service for women with life-controlling issues.

At the “Shimmer & Shake” Ball, Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic received the 2023 Mental Wellbeing Community Award, which recognises the hard work of local businesses and organisations who excel in their mental wellbeing support of its members and strive towards reducing the stigma of mental illness.

“We were thrilled to use our major fundraising event as a platform to announce this year’s winner,” Art of the Minds president Jules Haddock said.

“Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic is set in a scene of anxiety provoking situations and continues to show warmth and kindness to not only their customers but also to each other.

“It is true to say that the staff love working there.”

Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic’s Kate Giddings said the business was honoured by the win.

Read entire Surf Coast Times story here.

Image credit: The Nature Art exhibition at Hoop Gallery during the Art of the Minds Festival. Photo: SUPPLIED