WCR This Week

WCR PHOTO | THANDIWE KONGUAVI Colourful names and crosses stream across the canvas in this painting, Jesus Rose Again, by Andrew Zapach.

Jeff Fidelak could hardly describe the joy he was feeling the night his artwork was on display at L'Arche Edmonton's Art From the Heart exhibit.

"I feel just . . ." he started, finishing his sentence with a broad smile, "wonderful! Because everybody likes my art pieces. It makes me proud."

The celebration of creativity by members of L'Arche Edmonton's day program took place April 22 and 23 at the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts.

Day program outreach co-ordinator Alice Ngendakumana was also beaming with pride throughout the evening event, as more than 100 people came to see the art displays of the L'Arche community's core members with developmental disabilities.

Joyce Alta

Few people can understand the kinds of gifts members of the L'Arche community have, said Ngendakumana. "It's a dream come true to see core members able to use their brain, their mind, to show the world."

Her own mind "was blown" when she saw some of the art. "It was just beyond what I could imagine. I'm so proud."

ART FROM THE HEART

The Art From the Heart Exhibition Project was facilitated by Joyce Aita, a graduate student at St. Stephen's College working on her master of psychotherapy and spirituality with an art therapy specialization.

Aita offered art therapy and open-studio sessions through the L'Arche Edmonton Discovery Day Program for many months, a process that included the participants selecting a project and exploring materials and art processes.

Materials and processes used included watercolours, wax crayons, felt markers, gem embellishments, acrylic on canvas and oil pastels.

WCR PHOTO | THANDIWE KONGUAVI An explosion of color in this painting by Cecile Piche is reminiscent of spring flowers.

The creative process helped stretch their artistic abilities and provided a safe place to explore, said Aita.

The resulting exhibition of their artwork was a celebration of their creative expressive work with others in the community.

One core member, who at times was not in the mood to do art, was thrilled and laughing when she saw her artwork in the frame. There was laughing, clapping and hollering after completing a piece.

Before undertaking the project for her practicum, Aita worked as a summer assistant 13 years ago with L'Arche Edmonton after being inspired by the writings of Catholic priest and author Henri Nouwen.

The project was about creating community together, Aita said, noting that she has learned much from the core members about what it is to be vulnerable and authentic.

Andrew Zapach

Many core members have limited communication. A lot of the project was about developing relationships with them.

VALUE OF ART

"Art becomes such an accessible way to communicate," said Aita. "I'm just really grateful that L'Arche recognizes the value of art."

As the day program core members are aging, there is more therapeutic benefit in terms of what art activates in the brain, she added.

Sister Pat Desnoyers, executive director of L'Arche Association of Edmonton, said all L'Arche members have gifts and to see them express themselves through art or any medium is "wonderful."

L'Arche communities around the world have day programs or workshops in which they sell wares or have some sort of gallery, said Desnoyers.

While some people did inquire about buying pieces at the Art From the Heart exhibit, purchase prices were not displayed as the focus of the project was more on gifts and the process of self-discovery.