Rocky Casillas Aguirre had a mission: break the silence around mental health in his community. But he wasn’t planning to do it with lectures or pamphlets—he was going to do it with art, cartoon characters, a healthy dose of fun, and a little funding from SEMAC.
“U Are the Universe/Eres El Universo” started as 30 planned illustrations but quickly grew into something much bigger. Aguirre ended up creating over 70 bilingual pieces that explore the causes, science, and remedies of stress and anxiety, each one presented in both English and Spanish to ensure Northfield’s Latino community could fully connect with the work.
Aguirre designed the gallery experience to be interactive and welcoming to all ages, creating spaces where people could actually engage with their emotions—and have some fun doing it. Visitors could snap photos with 6-foot feelings characters, explore a medicine cabinet filled with prescriptions from the quirky “Dr. Lola the Axolotl,” grab free coloring pages to take home, and watch his animated short film “Stresszilla” projected on the gallery wall. The 2-minute animation tells the story of a lifelong friendship between stress and anxiety and what happens when Twitch (a campfire flame) tries to hide from them.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive and surprisingly personal. Social media lit up with comments like “It’s a great message, relayed in a really creative, memorable way” and “ALWAYS comes at the worst of times! it’s either before bed or when life is just going good 😭😭 meditation really does help me!” People weren’t just viewing the art—they were connecting with it, sharing their own stories, and finding genuine comfort in Rocky’s characters. Comments poured in: “Thank you for the insight and advice,” “Needed this! Happy Monday,” and “Great information! You and Twitch are so helpful.”
Every piece in the exhibition came from Aguirre’s personal journey with anxiety and the healing he found through meditation. “As someone who has suffered from debilitating anxiety and witnessed loved ones battle with depression, this gallery means everything to me,” Aguirre explains. “Through my pieces, I share years of personal struggle and learnings. My greatest hope is that everyone who sees my work finds comfort in my characters, feels validated and a little less alone in this world.”
The community response showed just how hungry people were for this kind of honest, accessible—and yes, entertaining—conversation about mental health.The exhibition broke attendance records at the Northfield Arts Guild, drawing many first-time visitors. People shared photos, and left thoughtful notes such as ”I wanna thank you too, for sharing your art and message with us.”
The exhibition continues its journey from the Northfield Arts Guild to Mercado Local in Northfield, then to the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, spreading its unique blend of wisdom and whimsy to new communities. Meanwhile, Aguirre keeps the good vibes flowing with his comic series “Twitch and the Mystic Weenie™” and YouTube animations that prove mental health conversations can be both meaningful and entertaining.
Through “U Are the Universe/Eres El Universo,” Aguirre tapped into something impactful: when you combine serious messages about mental health with creativity, humor, and genuine heart, people don’t just listen—they engage, they share, and they feel a little less alone in the world.
Aguirre continues to spread the message of mental health awareness and healing through ongoing work. Find Aguirre on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube @twitchandweenie, or visit their website (rokaturas.com) where they share animations, behind-the-scenes content, and updates on their comic series “Twitch and the Mystic Weenie™.” On the YouTube channel, Aguirre features the full “Stresszilla” animation along with other funny, relatable, and wholesome content that makes mental health conversations both entertaining and meaningful. Good vibes always (Buenas Vibras Siempre).
Article by Jacqueline VanRavenhorst for SEMAC’s September 2025 Impact Story feature.