Immerse Orlando, downtown’s interactive art festival, was everything that was promised. It was the giant spectacle that enthralled thousands, along with more intimate opportunities to connect with the community.
(NICK GEORGOUDIOU)
Along Orange Avenue, festivalgoers had the opportunity to interact with four interactive boards designed by Real Life Education. The installation encouraged attendees to see themselves in a different light, write notes of encouragement for others to read, and take a picture with a commitment to do something that will help improve their mental health.
Real Life Education was started by local licensed mental health counselor Catherine Tugg. Along with serving clients individually at her private practice, she saw RLE as an opportunity to help a larger group of people.
“I started RLE because the demand for mental health care and relational education was so in-your-face high,” Tugg wrote. “Inserting mental and relational health education into the community through art is just one way we are trying to access people that do not currently have access, whether due to financial or social-emotional challenges. We are so thankful to be given the opportunity to showcase our work to thousands of people in a way that is fun, alluring, social and easy to digest.”
Catherine Tugg takes a picture of Immerse visitors committing to doing some good in front of The Community Paper’s “Good News Happens Here” installment. (NICK GEORGOUDIOU)
Tugg and fellow counselor Bella Hudson designed the installation with support from individual donors, Florida Paints, local woodworker Kyle Morse, psychologist Cristina Molina Hidalgo, and both the Oviedo and West Colonial Home Depot. The Community Paper also sponsored one of the interactive boards.
“The level of engagement was beyond anything we even expected,” Tugg wrote after Immerse. “People wrote so many inspirational, encouraging and kind phrases to the community without us even asking them to do that. It was heartwarming to say the least.”
RLE is a volunteer-run organization. To learn more and get involved, visit RealLifeEducation.org or follow them on Instagram.com/whatisreallifeeducation.