How artist Brad Hoefs partnered with clients to spread hope on canvas

Community Alliance’s Center for Mental Health is intentionally designed to support the journeys of those we serve toward recovery, from its layout and architecture to the artwork adorning its walls. We’re thankful for the many local artists who created hope-filled work for this space, including Betni Kalk, Mary Zicafoose, Ron Quinn, Patty Talbot — and Brad Hoefs, a pastor, a painter, a state-certified peer support specialist and someone who has dealt with his own mental health obstacles. 

How did you get connected with this commission opportunity?

I was the guest artist at a gallery in downtown Elkhorn, and someone from Community Alliance saw my paintings. They were impressed and liked the name of my studio, “Hope-Filled Art.” The connection felt serendipitous since I had no prior ties to Community Alliance. I had started Fresh Hope, a faith-based mental health support group, 17 years ago, and while they were aware of that, I hadn’t worked with Community Alliance directly. This was my first major commission of this scale.

When did you begin painting?

I’ve painted most of my life. It’s always been a go-to for me, especially after I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995. I’ve lived symptom-free for the last 23 years, but painting was one of the hobbies my doctor encouraged me to take up. I tried golfing, which didn’t suit me at all, and baking, which I enjoy, but painting was different. It’s like going to the playground as a kid — I completely lose track of time.

Your paintings reflect clients’ stories. Was this the first time you created work based on others’ experiences?

Yes, it was. While talking with the folks from Community Alliance, they mentioned a long hallway in the building where they needed large artwork. I realized I would need some direction, so I came up with the idea of painting based on the clients’ stories. It was a privilege to hear their stories and translate them into art. Each piece was a reflection of someone’s journey, and I felt honored to give voice to their experiences through abstract art.

I met with 11 people, some of whom are now staff members at Community Alliance. I’ve never gone through so much black paint before! But I needed that depth because many of the stories involved sadness, difficulties and depression. I would take notes during our conversations, asking them how they visualized their emotions or what colors they associated with certain feelings. 

Were there any stories that particularly stood out to you?

Absolutely. One client described feeling like they were living in a lake of tears, which inspired the first painting, “The Wave.” I wanted to show that while the wave represented their tears, it also brought them to a new community, where they found friends and were no longer lonely. Another person talked about dealing with anxiety by counting in fives, so I incorporated numbers into their painting. Each story was unique, and I tried to capture that individuality in the art. It was incredibly moving when, during the reveal to participants, everyone recognized their painting. That blew me away.

I don’t think I’ve ever done anything more impactful, and I’ve been in ministry for 40 years. Listening to their stories and sharing the paintings with them felt sacred. I was honored to enter their world and help them express their journeys through art. I wanted to do it without judgment, just with a deep understanding and empathy.

Now that the paintings are on display, what impact do you hope they’ll have on staff and clients?

I want people to see there’s always hope, no matter where they are in their journey. There’s beauty even in the messiest parts of life. The roads we travel can be filled with pain and brokenness, but there’s still hope, even when we don’t feel it. Many of the paintings have gold in them to symbolize that even in the darkest times, there’s still something shining through. This experience was the best in the world, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I hope people who see these paintings understand there’s beauty in the journey, no matter how painful, and that they’re never alone.