Art is born of unlikely hands

Kathie CV Art Show
by jmifsud
Categories: Uncategorized
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    WINNIPEG, MB – The artist stands proudly beside her exhibit as a crowd gathers.  She turns to face them and shares insight into the inspiration for her creation.  She is Kathie.  She is a painter.  She is also a member of the Charleswood program of Community Venture, a Christian-based program administered by The Salvation Army devoted to supporting adults living with disabilities.

    Art Show Overview

     

    This art show and bake sale has been a yearly event for Community Venture for the past 10 years, with CV Charleswood hosting the event for the past four.  Over a period of three or four months, CV members and staff collaborate on ideas for art, crafts and baking items.  Staff find ingenious ways of supporting each member's independence to express themselves creatively, yet work with each artist's strengths and challenges.  For instance, a sewing craft may involve staff working hand-over-hand with a member to cut out and pin the fabric pieces then guiding the fabric through the sewing machine as the member works the foot pedal with their hand.  This sort of teamwork is a guiding principle for Community Venture.

    While friends, family and the community are treated to the exhibition, the artwork is also made available in return for a good-will offering.  It is also an exciting time for the CV members as they love being able to display their talents and they take great pride in their creations.

    Artwork

     

    While Kathie is a prolific artist, she's not much for words when asked, "You know that many, many people bought your artwork and then they brought it home and hung it up on their wall, how does that make you feel?"  She simply replied, with a huge smile "Happy!"

    "The Annual Art show is meaningful for all of those who are involved," explains Stacy Armstrong, Coordinator of Day Services, "The members take great pride in their art.  Some pieces that they've created took hours of hard work, focus and often teamwork.  It's a fantastic way for them to express themselves creatively, especially when they may not have the words to do so."

    Community Venture prides themselves on being active members in each of their communities, the annual art show and bake sale is an important initiative to further this goal.  This year's show and sale raised $1,300 making it the biggest and most successful to date.  100% of all proceeds go directly back into Community Venture and bolstering programming for its' members.

    Artwork 2