“Reluctant Strokes” by Mitch Hays

Curated by Melissa Winston

The Lump Gallery at Mills is pleased to present the work of Mitch Hays in an exhibition titled: Reluctant Strokes. Finding passion and purpose after a life-changing event – a stroke.

“My career as a full-time private investigator, primarily insurance fraud, was brought to an abrupt halt with a stroke in January of 2018.

Vision loss remains on the right side of both eyes. Right-sided pain and stiffness is also a day-to-day occurrence, alleviated somewhat with medication and walks amounting to three to five miles a day. Recovery therapies at Advent took place for most of the year, ending in November 2018, with a celebratory graduation.

While physical and occupational therapies were vital to my recovery, therapist Jennifer was instrumental with her encouragement to return to my earlier roots as an artist. Entering the art world post-stroke was my vehicle to re-learn how to recognize letters and read again. Art is giving me the desire to research various aspects of drawing on the internet, which continues to advance my knowledge and abilities.

Each year after my stroke brings new appreciation for the direction God is leading. I’m certainly full of questions for God, he and I have a lot of conversations, especially while I’m walking the neighborhood. You’ll want to ask me about my ”penny story” sometime. I’m still on a journey, and will be, for the rest of my life.”

Please visit Mills Gallery during the run of “RELUCTANT STROKES” by making a private appointment with Boris Garbe.