Welcome to Heartland Book Release Event Raises Nearly $30,000!
On Thursday, Sept. 18, new friends and longtime Heartland supporters gathered at the Carla Madison Rooftop in Denver to celebrate the release of our book, Welcome to Heartland, an Artbook on Mental Health. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make our event a success!
Event highlights included:
Christian Turner, our Marking & Events Coordinator, sharing the background of how the book was created and a sneak-peak at some of the content,
An interactive, live drawing demonstration by artist Joe Blablazo,
Heartland updates from Megan Devenport, our Interim Executive Director
Celebrating Margie Carlin, longtime Program Director of Heartland, and her 30+ years of services, and
Inducting Amanda Kearney-Smith into our Friends of Heartland Honorary Council (see below), and
Beautiful sunset views of Denver from the rooftop of Carla Madison Rec Center.
About the Book
Welcome to Heartland is a one-of-a-kind art book created in collaboration between clinic members and professional artists. Through sketches, reflections, and stunning illustrations, this book offers an honest, imaginative, and deeply personal look at mental health journeys.
If you weren’t able to attend our event in September, you can order online:
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
Each page presents a conversation, beginning with raw drawings and written insights from individuals living with mental health challenges. These are then paired with visual interpretations created by professional artists. The result is a powerful and creative effort to reduce stigma, spark connection, and celebrate healing through art.
Why It Matters
This book will serve as a centerpiece of Heartland’s outreach throughout the coming year. It will be featured at events, presented by our Speaker’s Bureau, and offered through local bookstores, art walks, and even art conventions in 2026. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the powerful stories and creativity at the heart of our community.
New Friend of Heartland Honorary Council Member Inducted
Amanda Kearney-Smith, MS
Principal & Co-Founder
The Nonprofit Strategy Group
As Co-Founder and Principal of The Nonprofit Strategy Group, Amanda drives organizational excellence for Colorado's nonprofit sector through comprehensive strategic consulting. Her expertise in strategic planning, grant writing, leadership coaching, and organizational development helps mission-driven organizations amplify their community impact.
Amanda's dedication to nonprofit leadership was crystallized during her tenure as founder and Executive Director of the Colorado Mental Wellness Network (CMWN). There, she pioneered transformative changes in Colorado's behavioral health landscape by establishing statewide peer support standards and developing state-certified training programs in collaboration with key stakeholders.
A respected voice of lived experience in policy and advocacy, Amanda has served on Governor-appointed task forces and numerous nonprofit boards, councils, and advisory committees. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing systemic changes for individuals affected by mental health conditions. Her passion for service continues through active volunteerism, particularly in youth development and animal welfare causes.
Her commitment to community service extends beyond Colorado. In New Mexico, Amanda worked with non-traditional students as a Psychology professor at Central New Mexico Community College while simultaneously directing vital funding initiatives for homeless services through the City of Albuquerque's Family and Community Services Department. Her work ensured essential resources reached those experiencing homelessness across the metropolitan area.
Originally from Illinois, Amanda has called Colorado home since 2007, where she lives in Monument with her husband Jeff and their furry children. When not advancing nonprofit missions, she finds joy in Colorado's outdoor adventures, immersing herself in fiction, experimenting in the kitchen, and cherishing time with family in the Midwest.
Amanda served on the board of directors for Heartland Mental Health from