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For Artists

Seema Shah
John F Gerrard
Anam Tariq
A blonde woman sitting in her studio. She is wearing a half white and half black top. She sits in front of her paintings.
Ashley Showalter

As artists with mental health challenges, your career needs support from a community that understands, a structure that doesn’t judge your tough times, and a champion to promote your art.

  • Sell your work in our shop
  • Find creative mentors with lived experience
  • Share your work without sacrificing your mental health

For Supporters

Mert Jones
Brittany Josie
Sergey Dobrynov
Avesha Michael
Deja Hartfield

Art is healing, whether you’re creating or viewing. It is an opportunity to reimagine mental health by empowering artists and elevating our own spirits in the process.

You can contribute what you are comfortable with as a Friend. As a Patron or Benefactor your monthly contribution includes a subscription to The Shallot, scholarship funding for artists who need financial support for their membership, recognition, and a TLO promotional item.

Shallot Available Now
The Shallot Volume 2

Journal of Mental Health, Art, and Literature

We publish work from artists and writers of lived experience with mental & emotional health challenges.

The Shallot cover, bordered above and below by bright blue. An artist's work is in the center - beautiful primary colors in geometric shapes on a wooden block surface.
Build & Design
Empowering artists.
Reimagining mental health.
Uniting art and advocacy, we challenge stigmas and empower artists, reshaping the narrative for a more inclusive and compassionate world.

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Listen to our Podcast

Artwork Spotlight: Yas Martinez – “Untitled”/ “I’m sorry I am trying”

Artwork Spotlight: Yas Martinez – “Untitled”/ “I’m sorry I am trying”

“The colours just calm me. It kind of makes my head feel less claustrophobic. I’ve been told it’s like looking at the sky when people look at my work, and I like that.”
Artist Spotlight: Savannah Calhoun

Artist Spotlight: Savannah Calhoun

Savannah Calhoun is an image-based artist residing in Cedar Rapids, IA, and from Indianapolis, IN. Her work playfully addresses image culture given the circumstances of the internet from a queer and feminist perspective. She received a BFA in Photography from Herron School of Art and Design in 2019 and an MFA from the University of Missouri in 2022. She currently teaches photography at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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Why are we here?

We are dedicated to elevating artists with mental and emotional health struggles, fostering empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Uniting art and advocacy, we challenge stigmas and empower artists, reshaping the narrative for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Together, we peel back layers, revealing the raw beauty and strength within each artist’s journey.

About Us

The Layered Onion was founded in 2021 as a social benefit corporation. We are a collective of artists with mental and emotional health challenges. We support our artists with an understanding community, opportunities for their art to be seen and appreciated, and the promotion to shine.