A new photography exhibit at the Margaret Hennigar Public Library has a powerful message behind it, showing how art can help overcome depression.
Photographer Sara Harley says the idea for the project first came to her in 2019, “At that time I was suffering from depression and while I was out on a walk along a trail here in Bridgewater I just looked around at my surroundings and felt happy.”
She says at the time she wasn’t sure what exactly was making her feel happy but she decided to take a photo of the scene on her phone. After that, the idea blossomed and Harley returned to the trails with her professional photography equipment.
Over time she collected more and more photos of her journies along the trail snapping photos along the way. The project primarily features close-ups of things along the trails like foliage, ponds, and rivers.
The completed result of her project is the “Trailings” exhibit that is now on display.
The South Shore Public Libraries decided to display some of Harley’s photos at their Bridgewater branch for the month of April so others can enjoy the photographs taken by Harley.
In addition to the exhibit, there is also an online magazine that includes the entire “Trailings” exhibit along with an introduction by Harley where she offers more insight on the relationship between art, nature, and happiness.
When asked if she thought photography was a good way to ease depression she says it isn’t limited to just photography, “It’s all of the arts drawing, journaling, painting all of them offer a creative outlet for you pour your emotions into,” she said.
The exhibit will be on display at Margaret Hennigar Public Library in Bridgewater until the end of April.
