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"I love it! Art is the name of the game. It makes me feel like the most proudest man in this world, especially when I was able to show what I did to my big brother." The words of Stuart Sherin make our hearts sing. What a simple, yet profound statement from a new and extremely proud artist. He now has something to give to his family and friends. His sense of pride is palpable. If you praise his art you are sure to receive one of his famous bear hugs.

There is no doubt that the Artist in Residence Program at Sherbrooke Community Centre will continue to provide opportunities for Stuart, and our youth participants to express themselves, to give back to their community and to engage fully in life. Dr. Bill Thomas, the founder of the Eden Alternative ™ said in photographer Thelma Pepper’s book Untie the Spirit. "A door to a new reality has been opened. In this world elders and the people who care about them can be seen as the beautiful wise patient and understanding people they are. This new story has the power to change the world."

It is important to note that Sherbrooke’s philosophy is about creating full and abundant life. We are encouraged to bring our passions to work and to help, at all levels of the organization, to create a human habitat where people regardless of abilities can thrive. We have worked hard to de institutionalize Sherbrooke through an unwavering commitment to fight the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom so common in nursing homes. We do this by providing opportunities for individuals to develop meaningful relationships, to contribute to the community and to experience spontaneity and variety.

Engaging the community is a vital part of our strategy. The Artist in Residence Grant will assist us in creating new partnerships that bring Sherbrooke Community Centre, programs for marginalized and troubled youth, and the local art community together.

We are extremely proud of our success with the Artist in the Community project, with Jeff Nachtigall at the helm, and we are anxious to share that success in the community. The new grant program will help us move into the second phase of our plan. We want to create awareness within the community about the unique abilities and raw talent of disabled artists. Further, this project will provide opportunities for at risk youth to develop transferable skills, self esteem and a chance to connect with positive adult role models.

The program will challenge the public to recognize that art is a part of our everyday lives rather than an elitist activity preserved for the upper class and the educated. We want the public to provide both financial and volunteer support for this program because they see it as ground breaking and as having the potential to make positive change in the lives of young people who with some positive interactions may choose a different life path. There is much discussion in the media about cracking down on youth in trouble with the law. An approach that involves building self esteem and providing opportunities for meaningful activity, and job readiness skills surely is a more positive approach to this societal problem. We are confident that at Sherbrooke they will be treated with respect and dignity and with luck and hard work they may take a step towards more productive and fulfilling lives.

We at Sherbrooke, know from four months of experience that art heals. We need more time to build a sustainable program which we are confident will have long-term positive impact in our facility, other long term care homes in the district, and internationally through the Eden Alternative™.

The need for the Artist in Residence Program has become quite obvious to us through the Artist in the Community project. Excitement, demand, creative expression, creativity, pride and a major "buzz" about what is happening is the driving force behind this application. Strategic funding of this program will give the creative team at Sherbrooke an opportunity to make this program work in the long run. We are so confident that this project "has legs" and that we can ultimately spin off other projects and ideas. We see the Arts Board‘s continued funding over the next year of this unique and powerful program as an imaginative, creative and a smart strategy for sustainability and future growth. Frankly, we had no idea that the impact of the program would be so pronounced. Seeing residents who never participate in anything actively involved in creating something that builds self esteem is powerful. To see a resident painting using a head piece, to see a resident with former artistic backgrounds finding new purpose in creating abstract art is unbelievable. To see residents create controversial and thought provoking art is Powerful. To hear the Minister of Health exclaim about how incredible this program is, is gratifying. We are so fortunate to have Jeff Nachtigall, working here. He "gets" our philosophy and lives it! He has a knack for engaging people. He is extremely skilled in creating opportunities, maximizing abilities and advancing new ideas and possibilities.

Much has been accomplished in the short time that I have been artist in residence at Sherbrooke community Centre in Saskatoon. The studio program has been an overwhelming success. At present the studio is open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday to Friday. The lines may be long and the space is limited, but the artwork keeps churning out at an impressive and inspiring rate.

I am not an art therapist. I view the residents (that I work with on a daily basis) as my peer group. This approach levels the playing field. I am not here to teach people to draw and paint like me. I am here to facilitate the art-making process. I am encouraging the residents to communicate in a visual manner. Terms such as "Art" and "Artist" tend to intimidate the general public. By getting individuals to "express themselves visually", I am able to bypass the resistance commonly associated with "creating a work of art". The results of breaking through this barrier have been profound. Residents who felt marginalized are now empowered by their ability to express themselves through their art. The pride that these artists take in their work has extended beyond the studio and into their daily lives. We have only scratched the surface here. The quality of the work being produced at Sherbrooke is of fundamental importance to me. I am happy to say that my expectations have been met and in some cases surpassed. There are many new objectives. Word has spread throughout the community of our accomplishments. A number of community groups and organizations are excited and eager to partner with our program. There is great potential for outreach with at-risk-youth, individuals acquired brain injuries, schools, veterans, first nations and other community centres in the Saskatoon Health Region. This project has expanded during my tenure. It continues to expand, and the potential for new projects is unlimited. The only limitations are time and funding. There is much development work to be done. I am far exceeding the 20 hours a week that the Artist in the Community project requires. I have found it necessary to do so in order to develop relationships with a number of community organizations, local business, and various groups within Sherbrooke itself. A three month development phase would allow these new and exciting relationships to grow into partnerships.

This is a success story. There is much more that can be done. With the support of the Saskatchewan Arts Board we will be able to take this project further than any of us could imagine

I have been a practicing artist for 17 years. I have shown in major galleries throughout Canada and the United States. After completing my BFA at the University of Regina I was awarded a full scholarship to pursue my MFA at Illinois State University. I have participated in two residencies at The Banff Centre, and several Emma Lake Workshops. I have lectured at universities and art schools across the country. I am currently writing "The Willy and Bonk Show" a novel based on a short film that I produced while at The Banff Centre. Jeff Nachtigall, Artist

The anticipated long-term impact of the program is:

Sherbrooke Community Centre will work with the Artist in Residence Program to identify potential partnership opportunities. The managers involved in this program have had extensive experience in the development of partnerships locally and provincially. They will work with the artist to continue to develop the partnerships that have begun with the Artist in the Community Program and will help expand and seek new and innovative partnerships that will benefit the organizations and the rich art community in Saskatchewan.

We will develop a volunteer recruitment strategy that focuses on supporting the residency program. The addition of volunteers in the art program would provide an increased opportunity for individuals within the target groups to receive the assistance and support needed to express themselves. It would also provide much-needed time for the artist to run workshops in neighbourhoods throughout Sherbrooke while having volunteers assist residents who want to work in the open studio.

Other partners who would be involved in the program would be Calder Centre and Radius Community Centre. As partners they would be able to contribute to the arts program by providing staff support for the youth involved. They would also be able to provide youth in a leadership role to assist residents during open studio time. This additional support would allow the artist to conduct workshops in resident homes or neighbourhoods.

The World at Our Door

The Insiders

Art Program Empowers Sherbrooke Residents

Contact:
Patricia Roe, Leader of Communications and Public Relations
655-3602
222-9972