Justin Valenti’s Art Is Part of Unmask, a Richmond Exhibition on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Montgomery County artist Justin Valenti has two works in Unmask, a juried art exhibition about mental illness and suicide that pairs each piece with the artist’s own statement. The show is on view in the Port II Gallery at Art Works in Richmond, Va., through Nov. 14, 2026, and benefits the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Both of his pieces draw on his own experience with mental health, according to the statements displayed beside them.

“Searching”

“Searching” is a digital illustration of a lone figure walking through orange desert dunes under a striped blue sky. Valenti built it from shapes in Adobe Illustrator, according to his statement, and it is listed at $85.

“My piece is an illustration of a man searching for a purpose. … This piece reminds me of a time in my life when I was searching for a purpose as I was struggling with my mental health.”

An abstract painting about dark times

His second piece is an abstract fluid painting in purple, blue, black and white, the style of his earlier “Wild Adventures,” which was shown at the Kentlands Mansion this summer.

“The colors used in this painting symbolize overcoming mental illness. The contrast between the colors and the darkness relates to my depression. Sometimes I have dark times, and I struggle to make things positive.”

About Unmask

Unmask is curated by Susan Vaughan. The biennial exhibition was created by three artist friends after they lost their sister and friend, Sally, to suicide following a brief episode of mental illness, according to the exhibition’s statement. It “seeks to reduce stigma, build empathy, and encourage conversation about mental health,” the statement says.

Valenti said the exhibition is also connected to the Montpelier Center for the Arts in Montpelier, Va.

More from Justin Valenti

Moderately MOCO has followed Valenti’s work, including his piece in a Maryland State House exhibition and “Wild Adventures” at the Kentlands Mansion. He talked about his art on Episode 2 of Moderately Mic’d.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.

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