GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Among the more than 1,100 artist participating in ArtPrize is one whose art helped her cope with and overcome mental illness.

Portals: In Nature We Heal by Art Possible, a group of artists including Susan Meekhof, is displayed outside Monroe Community Church for ArtPrize.

"I'm very excited about it," Meekhof, who is participating in her third ArtPrize, said. "I put my heart and soul into this one."

Meekhof has schizoaffective disorder, she told News 8. She said the diagnosis gave her relief because it explained what was happening and set her on a path to recovery. As part of her therapy, she turned to journaling and art.

"It was a lifesaver," she said. "It was something that I could always go to. It just kind of was like a friend in the house. When you didn

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