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New art display at Alderbridge site demonstrates dedication and passion from clients
Photo submitted
What Richmond means to me
Published 4:24 PDT, Thu June 27, 2019
When you walk into the lobby of the Alderbridge site, a new, vibrant art display might catch you eye. The 28 canvas exhibit, painted in collaboration by participants of the Richmond Mental Health Consumer and Friends Society (RCFC), clients of Richmond Mental Health and Substance Use services, and the Anne Vogel Clinic, depicts scenes from around our community and what Richmond means to them.
When you walk into the lobby of
the Alderbridge site, a new, vibrant art display might catch you eye. The 28
canvas exhibit, painted in collaboration by participants of the Richmond Mental
Health Consumer and Friends Society (RCFC), clients of Richmond Mental Health
and Substance Use services, and the Anne Vogel Clinic, depicts scenes from
around our community and what Richmond means to them.
Ruth was one of the many artists
that participated in the collaborative project and says she wanted to
participate to get involved in the community and help fight the stigma of
mental health.
“I was diagnosed as bipolar 15
years ago and art has always been very therapeutic for me,” she says. “The
group has been very accepting and collaborative, and coming in to work on the
project just became part of my weekly routine—it was nice to have structure and
the opportunity to do something I enjoy.”
Over the past year, the art
program met for a few hours each week to sketch, paint, and plan what the
display would look like. Some would contribute the more technical aspects of
the design, while others would fill in colours or put the finishing touches on
the canvases. The result is a beautiful collage of images surrounding a map of
Richmond that add colour and character to the entrance of the clinic.
Client Chris, a former architect,
says being part of the project instilled confidence and huge sense of
accomplishment.
“It’s all about connection,” he
says, adding that the group members became like family to him. “It’s a chance
to be social, get to know people, and benefit from each other.”
And while the group started out
meeting at scheduled times, the project evolved, and eventually saw clients
coming in on their own time to help finish off the display. Something Executive
Director of RCFC Cory Tymich says really surprised him.
“The wall in the lobby was left
for us in planning for the building, so we wanted to come up with a concept
that really represented our clients and staff,” he says. “The end result is
incredible. The team was so invested in the project—it was really great to see.”
And while the project’s main goal
was to create something beautiful for the lobby of the clinic, many of the team
members walked away with something much more powerful: confidence.
“Once I take something on, I like
to complete it,” says Ruth. “The project helped me become more confidant—more
comfortable with my illness, embracing it, and seeing what I can accomplish.”
Funding thank you
The team would like to extend a
huge thank you to the Richmond Hospital Foundation for their support in
providing the art supplies for the project. The team hopes to secure more
funding in the future, and perhaps an art instructor, so they can continue
create more beautiful works of art to share with the community and help clients
build more confidence and skills.
If you’d like to donate to RCFC,
please click.
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