The Art Studio provides opportunities for all artists at Sherbrooke – whether beginners or experienced practitioners – to express themselves, to give back to their community, and to engage fully in life.
The studio creates an environment for experimentation and self-expression. We are not interested in teaching art classes, but in facilitating the creative process through self-discovery and self-exploration. The artists in the studio program find a new voice, and this new voice empowers them.
Most participants have never made art before, and many of those who have are relearning and adapting to the process as reduced and restricted mobility and cognitive challenges present them with new limitations. With perseverance and dedication these limitations grow into strengths.
In recent years, the studio at Sherbrooke has grown beyond its walls. We collaborate with schools and other long term care and health care organizations, and we provide hands on training opportunities for nursing, pharmacy, social work, and English students.
Partnerships with a number of groups are developing, as health care professional notice the dramatic improvements in participants’ physical, social, and mental health. Long term care organizations from across Western Canada have expressed interest in the studio program, providing us with the opportunity to serve as a regional and national training centre.
Formerly named Kaleidoscope, the Sherbrooke Centre for Creativity opened in 2013 and encourages not only visual art but also music, dance, writing, film, publishing, and so much more. The future is bright and we are anxious to share our story of success with others.
Engaging the community is a vital part of our culture change strategy. We have 10 partnership schools and work with at-risk youth from Calder Centre and EGADZ. We also have plans to start a visiting artist program, and are excited about the opportunities this will create, not only for artists at Sherbrooke but for the community as a whole.
In 2014, Sherbrooke Creative Arts hosted the first art symposium for those interested in generating opportunities for Residents living in institutions to create, and in doing so heal, grow, learn, and live more fully. We invite you to join us on this life affirming journey.
We thank the Saskatchewan Arts Board for their ongoing support and recognize the donors and supporters who believe in the ability of the arts to untie the spirit.
To learn more about us, visit Sherbrooke Creative Arts!
