Walking through the Student Union, students and staff were greeted by a colorful display of painted, drawn, and sculpted butterflies. But these butterflies were more than decorations—they were part of the Mental Health & Sports exhibition, a collaboration between the SET and the Visual Arts Program that encouraged students to support mental health awareness through creativity. SET is an initiative under the SMART Club.
The exhibition, which runs Oct. 24–31, invites students to create artwork inspired by the butterfly icon of Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in student-athletes. All student pieces were donated to the organization and included in a silent auction to raise funds for mental health programs in schools nationwide.
SET president and exhibition organizer Sophia Kingston wanted to create a space where students could open up and express themselves through art.
“I wanted to create a space for open conversation where students could share their struggles and have others help them, too,” Kingston said. “Showing vulnerability actually makes you stronger.”
Kingston said she was inspired by Morgan’s Message, which was founded in memory of a student-athlete who was also an artist. By combining art, sports and mental health, she hoped the event would feel meaningful to both artists and athletes.
“I thought combining art with mental health and sports would make it more personal,” Kingston said. “Students could interpret the butterfly however they wanted, and each reflected their own story.”
Kingston invited University of Miami Athletics Assistant Director of Mental Health Camila Betancourt spoke to students about the importance of mental health.
School mental health counselor Renee McEachern said art can help people manage stress and emotions.
“Art therapy has always been a big thing,” McEachern said. “It is relaxing and calming, and it helps students focus on what is in
front of them instead of their stress or anxiety.”
She added that events like this can reach students who might not typically speak with a counselor.
“Having workshops and presentations for everyone gets the message out in a way that feels comfortable and creative,” McEachern said.
Freshman Sakshi Desai attended the exhibition and said seeing her peers’ work made her realize how powerful creativity can be.
“Everyone was so creative with their butterflies,” Desai said. “It inspired me to start painting myself. It also reminded me that you never know what someone else might be going through.”
The Mental Health & Sports exhibition showcased student talent while spreading a message of kindness, understanding and hope. Each butterfly on display carried a unique story—a reminder that mental health matters and that opening up is a sign of strength, not weakness.
