Worthington artist and fashion designer works to use art for healing
On her own mental health journey, designer Suree Sompamitwong found solace and peace in art. She combines sculpture with streetwear in Worthington, Minn., and works to provide art therapy and other programming through her non-profit, Creative Healing Space.
Courtesy of Suree Sompamitwong
We talk to many people on this show who are bringing something new to their communities. The Minnesota-based Initiative Foundation recently recognized Suree Sompamitwong along with eight other Initiators Fellows for doing just that.
Sompamitwong is an artist and fashion designer based in Worthington, Minn. She founded a non-profit, Creative Healing Space, to offer art therapy and other programming in her time away from a full-time job.
She is organizing a fashion show Saturday as a fundraiser for the organization. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talked with her about her fashion career and helping people find peace in art.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
KATHERINE RICHARD: I'm Katherine Richard filling in for Cathy Wurzer. And this is Minnesota Now.
We talked to a lot of people on this show who have started something new. Our next guest was recently recognized by the Minnesota-based Initiative Foundation for doing just that. Suree Sompamitwong is an artist and fashion designer based in Worthington. She is one of nine Minnesotans named to the foundation's two-year Initiators Fellowship. And she's organizing a fashion show this coming Saturday for her nonprofit, Creative Healing Space. Suree thanks so much for being with us.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: Yes, of course. I'm excited to be here.
KATHERINE RICHARD: Now you started designing clothes when you were pretty young. So tell me how you got interested in fashion?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So I've always known I wanted to get in fashion since I was eight years old. And funny enough, it was because of the show, That's So Raven.
KATHERINE RICHARD: I know the show.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So that was kind of how I got into fashion. And I would start sketching dresses and make my own, like magazines. And I got myself a sewing machine in fourth grade. And I would make, like purses and quilted scarves.
There were a couple of times, I made skirts. And it was not quite right. But I still wore it. But I didn't really wear it out in public, because fourth grade me didn't really know what she was doing yet. But I definitely would make purses and give them to my friends.
KATHERINE RICHARD: I love it. So you have founded a nonprofit called Creative Healing Space. Tell us about how you came to this idea, and what you're hoping it will offer people in Worthington and around the state?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So when I had to move back home from Los Angeles in 2017, what happened was I had a severe mental breakdown at work, and I resulted in a mental hospital. So through that experience, my mom pretty much forced me to move back home. I was later diagnosed with bipolar.
So through that experience, I was just really depressed from having to move back home, leaving my dream job in fashion, and also trying to reconcile with the fact that I have a mental illness.
So I discovered art to be very healing, especially through sculpting and painting. And through that process, I really wanted to offer that to my community. For them to have a safe space to connect and to be intentional about healing and being present. And that's how Creative Healing Space started.
KATHERINE RICHARD: Now I understand that you have, sort of, this virtual community too. I mean this goes beyond just that face-to-face in-person stuff. Tell us a little bit more about how that works, and what that looks like?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I started the nonprofit right in the beginning of 2020. And I think by, like March, we had a shutdown where I couldn't have any more in-person events. So then I was able to find an art therapist who lived an hour away. And we hired her to offer virtual monthly art therapy sessions-- because I just posted it on Eventbrite and wasn't expecting people from, like China or Australia, to hop on.
But, yeah, we have a pretty decent following, and we still have some from Worthington joining, but a lot of them are just from all around the world. And it's really exciting to see that.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So based on what you've experienced yourself and what you hear people tell you who've, sort of, done your workshops, how much power would you say art has to help people through their struggles? And give us some examples of how it has helped people.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I really think that art has such a deep, powerful impact. But it's up to the person to be open-- for them to open their heart and to accept that art can be healing. And then I still hear some who say, like, oh, I'm not an artist. And, I think, that just puts a barrier for them.
Maybe it's not for everyone. But for those who value art, then yes, it's a really good release. It's a great outlet.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So Suree, you're from Worthington. It is a small town, fewer than 14,000 people. It's, sort of, in a rural part of the state. Does that affect how people are willing to open up and talk about their mental health?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I feel, like since I've been back-- I've been back since 2017-- And because I'm so open about my own mental illness, and I just normalize talking about it. Like sometimes, I'll go in a meeting. I'm like, hey, guys. I'm sorry. I'm just overstimulated today. And, like I just normalize it.
I feel like people are more comfortable talking about it with me, and they share about their struggles. But overall, I still think that there's a huge stigma for those who just don't want, like, to be honest with themselves. And-- yeah, we have just a lot of work to do.
But it's-- I'm hopeful that it's just going to start by just one-on-one interaction and then it will be a ripple effect.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So you have been named one of nine Initiator Fellows. And that's a program that provides money-- $60,000 over two years and training for social entrepreneurs in Minnesota. What are you going to do with this money?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I'm going to use it to invest in myself. I want to one day become full-time director. For Creative Healing Space, I want it to be like a healing center, where there's all kinds of professionals-- mental health professionals, artists, art therapists, music therapists, sound bath healers, yoga instructors, you name it, I want to do that. I want to offer that for Worthington.
Because right now, I'm literally working three jobs. And I just want to use it to fill my cup, so then I can give to my community from a wholesome version of myself.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So I feel like I can't let this interview go by without asking you some questions about what fashion shows are actually-- Like I understand you showed several of them. And you're showing at Houston Fashion Week in May next year. What is the process for participating in these events, and, especially, ones in different cities?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: It is so exciting and also nerve-racking. Because I have a full-time job, I'm running a nonprofit, and I'm also trying to get ready for the next collection. But, gratefully, I have an amazing team of people, who are always passionate and committed to the vision.
Like for LA, I brought about, I think, a total of 11 people with me. Some flew in from Florida, Colorado. We had seven from Worthington. And two models--
KATHERINE RICHARD: And this was Asian-- This was Asian LA Fashion Week in California? Is that what you're referring to?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: Yep.
KATHERINE RICHARD: Yeah, OK. Keep going, yeah.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So, yeah. It's just really exciting. And, like, our theme is we put art with a message onto clothes. And that's why I name my clothing brand Art Invasions. It's because it's a conversation starter. Like our art is about promoting about mental health, or what it means to battle with a mental illness, or artwork about raising awareness for missing indigenous women, or raising awareness against child sex trafficking.
So the topics are pretty heavy and vulnerable. But we are not afraid to own it and to, like, really advocate for it.
KATHERINE RICHARD: We have a few seconds left here. But I want to talk about this event on Saturday. You have a fashion show, and it's a fundraiser at Lerma's Event Center. What designs will you be showing?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: We will be showing the collection that we've just shown in LA last month. And it will be-- We'll style it differently. And it'll be streetwear with a blend of-- I would say-- like, very feminine energy, because the theme is growth. So our set design is very floral, and mother nature, and we'll have artwork, and sculptures, and art installations. So, yeah, I'm really excited about this event. It's been eight months in the making.
KATHERINE RICHARD: It sounds great. Suree, thank you so much.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: Yeah, of course. Thank you for having me and for willing to learn about what I'm doing.
KATHERINE RICHARD: That was Suree Sompamitwong, an artist in Worthington. And she's the founder of the nonprofit Creative Healing Space.
We talked to a lot of people on this show who have started something new. Our next guest was recently recognized by the Minnesota-based Initiative Foundation for doing just that. Suree Sompamitwong is an artist and fashion designer based in Worthington. She is one of nine Minnesotans named to the foundation's two-year Initiators Fellowship. And she's organizing a fashion show this coming Saturday for her nonprofit, Creative Healing Space. Suree thanks so much for being with us.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: Yes, of course. I'm excited to be here.
KATHERINE RICHARD: Now you started designing clothes when you were pretty young. So tell me how you got interested in fashion?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So I've always known I wanted to get in fashion since I was eight years old. And funny enough, it was because of the show, That's So Raven.
KATHERINE RICHARD: I know the show.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So that was kind of how I got into fashion. And I would start sketching dresses and make my own, like magazines. And I got myself a sewing machine in fourth grade. And I would make, like purses and quilted scarves.
There were a couple of times, I made skirts. And it was not quite right. But I still wore it. But I didn't really wear it out in public, because fourth grade me didn't really know what she was doing yet. But I definitely would make purses and give them to my friends.
KATHERINE RICHARD: I love it. So you have founded a nonprofit called Creative Healing Space. Tell us about how you came to this idea, and what you're hoping it will offer people in Worthington and around the state?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So when I had to move back home from Los Angeles in 2017, what happened was I had a severe mental breakdown at work, and I resulted in a mental hospital. So through that experience, my mom pretty much forced me to move back home. I was later diagnosed with bipolar.
So through that experience, I was just really depressed from having to move back home, leaving my dream job in fashion, and also trying to reconcile with the fact that I have a mental illness.
So I discovered art to be very healing, especially through sculpting and painting. And through that process, I really wanted to offer that to my community. For them to have a safe space to connect and to be intentional about healing and being present. And that's how Creative Healing Space started.
KATHERINE RICHARD: Now I understand that you have, sort of, this virtual community too. I mean this goes beyond just that face-to-face in-person stuff. Tell us a little bit more about how that works, and what that looks like?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I started the nonprofit right in the beginning of 2020. And I think by, like March, we had a shutdown where I couldn't have any more in-person events. So then I was able to find an art therapist who lived an hour away. And we hired her to offer virtual monthly art therapy sessions-- because I just posted it on Eventbrite and wasn't expecting people from, like China or Australia, to hop on.
But, yeah, we have a pretty decent following, and we still have some from Worthington joining, but a lot of them are just from all around the world. And it's really exciting to see that.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So based on what you've experienced yourself and what you hear people tell you who've, sort of, done your workshops, how much power would you say art has to help people through their struggles? And give us some examples of how it has helped people.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I really think that art has such a deep, powerful impact. But it's up to the person to be open-- for them to open their heart and to accept that art can be healing. And then I still hear some who say, like, oh, I'm not an artist. And, I think, that just puts a barrier for them.
Maybe it's not for everyone. But for those who value art, then yes, it's a really good release. It's a great outlet.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So Suree, you're from Worthington. It is a small town, fewer than 14,000 people. It's, sort of, in a rural part of the state. Does that affect how people are willing to open up and talk about their mental health?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I feel, like since I've been back-- I've been back since 2017-- And because I'm so open about my own mental illness, and I just normalize talking about it. Like sometimes, I'll go in a meeting. I'm like, hey, guys. I'm sorry. I'm just overstimulated today. And, like I just normalize it.
I feel like people are more comfortable talking about it with me, and they share about their struggles. But overall, I still think that there's a huge stigma for those who just don't want, like, to be honest with themselves. And-- yeah, we have just a lot of work to do.
But it's-- I'm hopeful that it's just going to start by just one-on-one interaction and then it will be a ripple effect.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So you have been named one of nine Initiator Fellows. And that's a program that provides money-- $60,000 over two years and training for social entrepreneurs in Minnesota. What are you going to do with this money?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: I'm going to use it to invest in myself. I want to one day become full-time director. For Creative Healing Space, I want it to be like a healing center, where there's all kinds of professionals-- mental health professionals, artists, art therapists, music therapists, sound bath healers, yoga instructors, you name it, I want to do that. I want to offer that for Worthington.
Because right now, I'm literally working three jobs. And I just want to use it to fill my cup, so then I can give to my community from a wholesome version of myself.
KATHERINE RICHARD: So I feel like I can't let this interview go by without asking you some questions about what fashion shows are actually-- Like I understand you showed several of them. And you're showing at Houston Fashion Week in May next year. What is the process for participating in these events, and, especially, ones in different cities?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: It is so exciting and also nerve-racking. Because I have a full-time job, I'm running a nonprofit, and I'm also trying to get ready for the next collection. But, gratefully, I have an amazing team of people, who are always passionate and committed to the vision.
Like for LA, I brought about, I think, a total of 11 people with me. Some flew in from Florida, Colorado. We had seven from Worthington. And two models--
KATHERINE RICHARD: And this was Asian-- This was Asian LA Fashion Week in California? Is that what you're referring to?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: Yep.
KATHERINE RICHARD: Yeah, OK. Keep going, yeah.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: So, yeah. It's just really exciting. And, like, our theme is we put art with a message onto clothes. And that's why I name my clothing brand Art Invasions. It's because it's a conversation starter. Like our art is about promoting about mental health, or what it means to battle with a mental illness, or artwork about raising awareness for missing indigenous women, or raising awareness against child sex trafficking.
So the topics are pretty heavy and vulnerable. But we are not afraid to own it and to, like, really advocate for it.
KATHERINE RICHARD: We have a few seconds left here. But I want to talk about this event on Saturday. You have a fashion show, and it's a fundraiser at Lerma's Event Center. What designs will you be showing?
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: We will be showing the collection that we've just shown in LA last month. And it will be-- We'll style it differently. And it'll be streetwear with a blend of-- I would say-- like, very feminine energy, because the theme is growth. So our set design is very floral, and mother nature, and we'll have artwork, and sculptures, and art installations. So, yeah, I'm really excited about this event. It's been eight months in the making.
KATHERINE RICHARD: It sounds great. Suree, thank you so much.
SUREE SOMPAMITWONG: Yeah, of course. Thank you for having me and for willing to learn about what I'm doing.
KATHERINE RICHARD: That was Suree Sompamitwong, an artist in Worthington. And she's the founder of the nonprofit Creative Healing Space.
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