ArtWorks Studio’s interests lie in finding and developing prominent ways to incorporate art and creativity as a way to actively present artists with mental illness as respected and self-sufficient citizens both locally and globally.
The studio model is based on the understanding that participation in the creative arts is life enhancing for individuals of all ages and abilities. The environment encourages members to engage in an active and self determined exploration of their own individual artistic voice.
Activities offered
- Open Studio – these times are open to anyone who wishes to participate with no fixed agenda. The studio is currently open from 12:30 – 3:30pm Tuesday through Thursday.
- Skill based groups that focus on building skills in a wide variety of techniques and medium.
- Artists Among Us Collective - artists peers showcasing their works in an annual art show. Past shows have been a huge success in providing a bridge between creative expression and building awareness about mental illness.
- Community Events – studio members are able to participate in cultural events in our community such as a wide range of musical events, plays, art shows etc.
About the Coordinator
Bev Anderson combines her passion for painting with her love of teaching. “It’s great to see those “aha” moments that light up the faces of my students as they create and learn” she says.
Bev graduated with a Fine Arts Degree in 2006 from UBC-Okanagan. Prior to pursuing her degree Bev lived and worked up in the Northwest Territories for over 20 years. She travelled throughout the arctic and saw the wild beauty of Canada’s harsh and rugged terrain firsthand. Her interaction with the people and their way of life became a deeply enriching experience for her.
Bev believes strongly in art as a form of meditation, healing and self-realization. “When I’m in my creative zone I feel directly connected to my inner voice...that calming source of wisdom that helps me navigate through my life. For me, creativity cannot be denied or ignored...if it is, then I sacrifice my very sense of well-being.”
Bev works in oils, acrylics and watercolours. Her masterful rendering and keen sense of colour flows throughout her oil and acrylic landscapes, and her watercolour portraits portray the quiet moments of self-reflection on the faces of her subjects. She also enjoys painting abstracts using high-key colours and thick layers of texture. Her artwork is held in private collections throughout the world.
For more information about the program, please contact Bev Anderson, ArtWorks Studio Coordinator phone 250.861.3644, ext. 107 or e-mail bev.anderson@cmha.bc.ca.
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