Why Art Matters
Recently, Calgary Health Trust had the great privilege of
joining residents of the Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre's EQual program
for their weekly art class. For an hour and a half, recreation
therapist Kristina McGowan and EQual's activity convenor, Sandra
Mooney, proceeded to share their perspective on why art
matters.
Out of 147 residents, eight participate in the program at one
time. Over 10 classes, they produce five beautiful pieces of art,
choosing one to display at the annual art show in May. Looking
through the many mediums and subjects of art, Kristina and Sandra
pointed to ones that were done by mouth painters, a blind woman and
individuals with MS and Huntington's disease - the list goes
on. That day, they were working on their
self-portraits.
"Just because they have an impairment doesn't mean they can't do
something. We don't tell them they can't; we find a way so they
can," Kristina said. It was amazing to see how the art
projects were coming together. The artists learned the colour wheel
so each of them could mix their own paints, putting them in control
of every aspect of their artwork.
"They get a sense of pride from their art and they are able to see
what they can accomplish. We've had cases where many people will do
things for our clients because they don't know what that person is
actually capable of, and then they come and see the art and they
realize that person is more able than they thought."
Kristina introduced Terry, a man who was making his first art
project as part of the program. He is a quadriplegic and was
painting with his mouth. "Sometimes it can get frustrating for many
of them. They might not have a long attention span or the ability
to concentrate," Kristina explained. Terry began to paint. Gently
touching the paint brush to the board with precise accuracy, he
painted a star with perfect lines and symmetrical shape. "Blue," he
told Andrea Konno, a therapy aide who was assisting him by holding
the board, and then he proceeded to outline and fill a blue circle.
He was focused, concentrating on every line, on every detail. You
could tell by the shapes, the accuracy, that he was a
perfectionist.
Throughout the hour and a half the pieces came to life, showcasing
the personalities of each individual at the table. "It brings out
the best in them," Kristina and Sandra said. "It's a program that
everyone wants to be in, even those who don't normally participate
in the other activities. There was disappointment for many when
their name was not on the list for the art classes that
week."
"It's hard because you can see the benefits to the residents, but
I need to keep the class small because it makes it more therapeutic
for our artists," Sandra explained.
The program relies completely on donations from Calgary Health
Trust to keep running. An average of $10,000 per year is required
for the art programs alone. At the Fanning Centre, Sandra requires
$800 per 10 week program: "We're so thankful for the donations
because we are able to get the paint and tools we need as well as
an art instructor who is experienced in working with people with
disabilities without charging the residents. If I had to charge the
residents, I don't think many of them would be able to afford it
due to limited funds," said Sandra.
As for the future? "I would love to be able to hold two programs
at a time, to get more residents in here," Sandra said. For now,
these talented artists will be among the many from the Fanning
Centre showcasing their fabulous work at the art show on May
25.
If you're in the area, it's a show worth taking in.
Art show details
Friday, May 25, 2012
Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre, 722 16 Avenue NE
10:30AM - 3:00PM
Open to the public
If you would like to find out more about how you can make a
difference to this or other Quality of Life programs at Carewest,
please email Candace
Lacina or phone 403-943-0699.