Networking through art
On January 7, families and friends joined community members and City of Quesnel staff to launch the first gallery showing of artworks created by participants of the Absolute Art program. The works include pottery, prints, fabric art and paintings. The show is open until the end of January.
“This is the first group showing from the Absolute Art program, and shows a selection of works from throughout the year,” says Elizabeth Waldorf, the Arts Program Coordinator for Quesnel. “The people involved are proud of their work and the opportunity to share it with the community.”
Absolute Art pairs local artists with people with developmental disabilities. The artists share their skills and techniques with participants, and help them explore up to two mediums per class. Currently, six artists lead the once-a-month sessions with up to 34 self-advocates. The artists include: Pat Wahlstrom, pottery; Darleen Hendry, watercolours and mixed media; Ellen Facey, watercolours; Marilyn Rollo & Connie Pomeroy, fabric art/quilting; and Sybille Muschik, printmaking. The mediums explored in the class reflect the interests of the self-advocates involved.
One of the many pieces on display at the Absolute Arts gallery show.
Absolute Art is fully funded by the City of Quesnel. The program was started in 2008, with the founding premise that “everyone has an artist within.” After visiting an art program in another community, Carol Price, a resource teacher at a local secondary school, developed the program along with colleagues from the Quesnel Community Living Association (QCLA), Colleen Hackler, and the Quesnel Arts and Recreation Centre, Maggie Ferguson-Dumais, the Arts Coordinator.
“When we started the program, we talked about art as a means to network with peers, and to integrate talented and interested artists with disabilities with art classes they could attend regularly,” says Colleen.
“Participants love the program, and it’s opened up the perceptions of the instructing artists who really enjoy the work and have developed relationships with their students.”
As the Arts Program Coordinator, Elizabeth chairs meetings, organizes the local artists, purchases supplies, as well as organizing the Art displays and the gallery opening. QCLA, Prima Enterprises, the School District and North Cariboo Christian School are all involved in bringing self-advocates to the classes. Staff, caregivers and families members also provide support. It is truly a community effort.
“The program could not function without the assistance of caregivers and the workers from the involved agencies. They are at the table supporting both instructor and learners whether it be pottery or painting or another medium,” says Ellen Facey, one of the artists.
Currently, Colleen and Elizabeth are working with Ellen, Carol, and Maggie to develop an 18-month calendar using the participants’ art work, which could be sold at the local Farmer’s Market over the summer. Future plans may also include expanding the program to include a senior’s group, having another gallery showing, and perhaps selling artists’ works to the public.
“We are exploring the possibility of having pieces for sale, and also creating posters or t-shirts of the different pieces. All proceeds could go back to the program,” says Elizabeth. “It would be an exciting next step.”
You can view works from the Absolute Art Show by visiting www.qcla.ca.
