BIO

 Having been exposed to the fast paced and a socially toxic corporate environments, drove Peachy into madness and into a dangerously serious illness of the mind.  J Peachy saw his creativity, art and reconnection with nature as a critical means for survival in dealing with his challenges with Bi-Polar Disorder and the resulting social and economic collateral damage.

Peachy identifies as contemporary outsider artist, who is not formally trained through art institutions and creates outside the boundaries of official and mainstream culture. He is active in his art practice and Mental Health advocacy, through a number of different mediums. Influenced by the concept of ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ through the book Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv and as an Arts Based Environmental Health Advocate, his art speaks to themes as they relate to the psycho, socio and ecological environment.  He is an award winning artist and recognized for his community engaged social and environmental justice work. Peachy is an award winning artist and was a semi finalist in a public stamp design competition for Canada Post. In 2009 he and Katherine Krampol created Sound Therapy Radio, and Arts and Mental Health Radio Show broadcasting on CJSF 90.1 FM, It has since won multiple National Radio Awards and recognized within the community. Peachy also founded the Canadian Sound Therapy Arts Society and has expanded arts programming to local community television.

Through his work with Wild Salmon Activism in British Columbia, he has combined mental health and environmental advocacy through a number of Arts based initiatives. In addition to Radio and TV, J Peachy combines social media and the arts in a unique way to get the message across.  Peachy frequently goes beyond the norm, as a self-taught artist he identifies with the values and tactics of outsider street art.   Jay often shares his knowledge through educational, entertaining and inspiring and all designed to challenge the mind.

As a former member at Gallery Gachet, an artist run center and a mental health advocacy Gallery, based in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. Peachy was able to creatively engage with others who faced similar struggles. He observed from street level the affects of social class warfare, inequality, addictions but also hope and creative survival.

As a comic and graduate of the nationally recognized program  Stand up for Mental Health, J also utilizes the comedic means to heal, demystify and de-stigmatize.   Peachy was a feature performer at the Stanley Theatre in May 2010 and can be seen performing at events as well as heard and seen on community radio and television.

Today Peachy works with many community based organizations and within the public school system to bring nature based arts programming and puppetry based performances to young audiences and believes in the power of childlike free play, inspiration and healing that the natural environments can bring.