The mission of the Okanagan Institute
is to contribute to
the quality of creative engagement in the Okanagan through publications and events.
» Home
» Events
» Publications
» Collegium
» Poet Laureate
» Culinaria
» ArtsCare
» Current Events
» Meetings/Programs
» Background
» heART FIT
» Members
» Register
» The Institute
» Contact
Kelowna BC Canada
Telephone 250.870.2690
Email: Click here
Click here to help us improve our programs.
|
|
ArtsCare Roundtable Background Information
Thanks to all those who attended the April meeting of ArtsCare at Okanagan College. At our last ArtsCare meeting it was decided to not meet over the summer, but to keep our group informed by email as needed. This year the first Wednesday in September is September 2, before Labour Day. As John Downes suggested perhaps it would be better for all if the time is moved to 7pm. Unless I hear otherwise from a number of you our next meeting will be September 2 at 7pm.
Those present at our last meeting determined that ArtsCare has succeeded in being a networking source for those of us interested in arts and health to find each other and begin to put ideas forward. After presenting the "One black at a time" project for Leon Street to our group, I am pleased to report that Graham Chambers has received funding from the public Art Fund to paint a mural for the project.
Over the summer we would like to get the membership list on the Okanagan Institute website refined as a good resource for interested parties to make contact with members. We need a volunteer co-ordinator to co-ordinate opportunities for members to acquaint the community with ArtsCare. Please consider taking this responsibility.
The following suggestions have been made to help us move forward and provide specific projects for people to get involved:
1. Beverly Rein of Sumac Tree Studio sumactree@shaw.ca and a board member of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan (ARTSCO) is working to arrange painting sessions with patients at Cottonwoods. She will send out details and ask for volunteers as arrangements are finalised.
2. Robert MacDonald is organizing Voices for Hospice in Kelowna. This event takes place every 2 years on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day - this year Saturday October 10th, 7-9pm at the Okanagan College Theatre - a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. An evening of live musical performances by local groups and individuals interspersed with short hospice stories. The purpose is to raise awareness of Hospice palliative Ccare and bereavement services. There is no cost but donations will be accepted. The theme for 2009 is "Discovering Your Voice". AÊvolunteer team is required to help with the following:
Assist with the event (Stage manager, green room set-up etc)
Arrange/book musical groups and artists
Recruit hospice story tellers
Recruit celebrity MC
Networking through service clubs and others.
Contact Robert at info@okanaganinstitute.com to volunteer.
3. Nigel Brown is organising the AIRS Project (Advanced Interdisciplinary Research in Singing) that is being co-ordinated by the U of PEI starting this month with a world class conference and symposium. Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley is being considered for a pilot project and my brother, Stuart Brown, will be discussing this potential on Friday, July 3 at 3.30pm. For Further information contact: Nigel Brown, Principal, Life Planning Matter, 250-860-5408, www.lifeplanningmatters.com
I think you'll agree we've made a good start. We look forward to hearing from any of you who have further input.
Thanks to all who attended the ArtsCare Roundtable on Wednesday, May 6. Our energy vibrated with ideas for purposeful discussion aimed at how to move ahead and create awareness. There was consensus that our next step is to make the community aware of our existence as a group and of those of us in the community who are already actively engaged in ArtsCare programs.
To accomplish these aims, it was decided that we need to have some visible presence in the community. Tara Davies is researching the dates and cost of having a booth at upcoming Wellness Fairs. Gail Hodgson suggested the Farmer's Market as another good venue and will research this. Installing an exhibition on the large blank wall at the Capri Mall where Interior Health is located will also be researched. From those not in attendance suggestions of other venues are welcome.
Prior to creating these awareness-building activities, all involved members should check out their personal listing under Members, at left. Drawing attention to this website is our most direct way of communicating. Each of us needs to be sure we are clearly communicating who we are, what we do, or are prepared to do, in the community to promote Arts for Health and Wellness and how those interested can contact you to find out more information and costs of services. For those who have not included a headshot, please consider doing this. At the bottom of the members list there is a spot to click to add your listing or make changes.
 Specific plans for these awareness-building activities will evolve but will likely include photographs and information panels. The Doors of Perception begun by heART FIT are on view in the atrium of the RCA for the month of May. Please take a look at Portia Priegert's article in the Courier this Wednesday, May 13. After June 1 these doors and others they have inspired may be used in installations. All ideas are welcome on how to make effective displays for awareness building.
An exciting idea for a big awareness-building event came from Augusto Carreras. Speaking from the perspective of how his native Mexican culture has made the arts integral to their well-being, he vibrantly spoke about a proud tradition of festivals which bring community together in fun and celebration of ideas they want to share. With keen insight and vision he invited us to imagine a Christmas Light Exhibition of community made light sculpture/installations, at the entrance of the Capital News Fitness Centre. The intent would be to draw attention to an evening event inside where community would join in showing how creativity promotes community, health and well-being. Augusto will be refining and expanding on his idea and soliciting involved support.
Bold events like these are happening around the world. Take a look at the www.icasc.ca Êto see programs other communities have presented as part of a movement of Arts for Social Change.
Another site to consider is listed on Google as the Creative Discovery Corps. This is a Program at the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at the George Washington University Medical Center. The Centre was founded by Dr. Gene D. Cohen who will be speaking at Creative Age Symposium: Creating Creative Futures! Sutton Place Hotel, Edmonton on June 12, 2009. http://www.creativeagefestival.ca
Thanks to all those who attended the April meeting of ArtsCare at Okanagan College. Your enthusiastic support for moving forward with concrete plans to increase awareness for how the arts can and should be integral to individual and community well being is most rewarding. For those unable to attend and asked to be kept informed, discussion included the following:
1. Doors of Perception: A selection of painted doors and other works created by the painting group heART FIT will be displayed May 1 to 31st in the Atrium and Upper Mezzanine of the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The opening is at 7pm on May 2, 2009 in conjunction with WAM (Wine, Art and Music) - please join us. At 8pm there will be a small auction of audience selected works. Proceeds will be used to purchase free supplies for those wishing to join in creating additional Doors.
There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception. - Aldus Huxley
Creative thinking is not a gift you have to be born with. Most creative people learn how to be creative. Since February 14, 2008 an enthusiastic group of painters has been gathering at the Rotary Centre for the Arts to release and explore their creative energy through "spontaneous process painting". Each work is allowed to evolve as a creative event which explores the mysteries of the unconscious mind. heART FIT classes encourage ArtsCare and an understanding that:
Everyone has the urge to create. "Its expression may flow through many channels ... The point is to honour the urge. To do so is healing for ourselves and for others; not to do so deadens our bodies and our spirits." - Vancouver MD Gabor Maté, When The Body Says No
"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity." - Carl Jung
2. ArtsCare Demonstration Project: Colleen Lintell - see member's registry - has offered the following proposal: If ArtsCare is to "evolve according to circumstance" then consideration should be given to developing a demonstration project related to the new health care facility currently underway at KGH. To be taken seriously and raise our profile within the community we need to demonstrate the value of the arts in health care.ÊAmong other objectives, our mission should be, through the arts, to improve healthcare outcomes for the patient and to enrich, enliven, and inspire patients, visitors, employees and the community.
Given the diversity of expertise and experience in ArtsCare we each come from our own evidence-based thinking and knowledge from which we should be able to:
formulate arts programs to involve the patients in the visual, written and musical arts to demonstrate positive therapeutic outcomes and
design an arts program for the installation of artworks to alleviate some of the stress and angst associated with hospitals.
The project could be introduced in the existing facilities on a small scale with on-going refinement and the creation of tools and products suitable for implementation in the new facility. There are numerous examples of successful worldwide implementation of these ideas which could provide models for the Okanagan.Colleen invites your comments, suggestions and offers of assistance in regards to this proposal clinttell@shaw.ca
The proposal was tabled for further discussion at the next meeting.
3. Home Care: Robert MacDonald spoke of the many in the Okanagan not living in healthcare facilities who could benefit from ArtsCare programming. Members are invited to offer proposals for consideration at future meetings.
4. Vernon Group: Erika Lambert advised of the free Friday Drop In for those who are, or are not, involved in artisticÊactivities, practitioners, and those who would like to feel health throughÊart. This is opportunity to experience how "spontaneous process art" opens one to insight and health. Bring any materials (crayons, felts, journal, paints, paper, clay, musicÊetc.) that you may want to share. The Vernon Community Arts Centre, Polson Park, (250.542.6243) Friday afternoons at 1pm.
 Doors of Perception
Since our last meeting, a most interesting project has come to our attention. It appears to be a perfect opportunity to implement the objective of ArtsCare. Sharron McKenna PhD, Master Gardener, has received approval from the City of Kelowna to initiate a project called One Block At A Time. She has been joined by The Street Nurses Clinic at Interior Health, Communities in Bloom and The Drop In Centre on Leon. Beginning at Pandosy and Leon, the intent is to form a volunteer group of individuals willing to contribute their creative and organizational talents to improving the aesthetics of Leon Street. It is not the intent for volunteers to do the work, but rather to work with interested existing groups of individuals to create garden spaces and an installation of painted doors mounted on the surrounding barren brick walls.
In making these "Doors of Perception" any interested individuals will be invited to express their ideas. For those of you familiar with the medallion project mounted at City Hall, there is similarity. Some doors might be painted by artists, other will be done by first time painters. The healing comes from creating together and sharing our "selves". One Block At A Time would give ArtsCare an opportunity to work together in the creation of a highly visible project demonstrating how people coming together to share their creative energies is healing for participants and the community. It seems the possibilities for bringing awareness to the role of ArtsCare are many and we would like to hear your views.
The Okanagan Institute thanks you for your interest in helping to establish ArtsCare in the Okanagan. In March 2009, at the KLO Campus of Okanagan College the Okanagan Institute hosted the first Central Okanagan Roundtable discussion. Energy was palpable among an amazing group of twenty-four people - from a variety of interests, backgrounds and training - all determined to contribute to creating ArtsCare initiatives in the Okanagan. In addition, we received strong support from others who could not attend this first meeting, but wished to be kept informed.
Now is the time to move forward together. Our intent is to become a united voice within the Okanagan advocating for the importance of ArtsCare for individuals and as support programs at existing healthcare facilities. Participants from the College faculty expressed their eventual hope for new programs to train students in ArtsCare careers within healthcare. Programs like ArtsCare have a proven record of successfully contributing to personal and community wellbeing and health in other provinces, and countries around the world. Models exist that can be adjusted to serve the Okanagan.
In March, the following decisions were made to advance this initiative:
1. Monthly meetings are held at 5 pm on the first Wednesday of each month at the KLO Campus of Okanagan College. The next meeting will discuss organisational structure and ideas for meeting agendas. The intent is to begin as a "grassroots" organisation and evolve according to circumstances. Notices of meetings will be emailed approximately a week in advance. To sign up to receive these notices click HERE.
2. A list of ArtsCare Members is posted HERE. ÊIf you want to be included, please give a personal statement of up to 500 words stating your name, background, and a description of the ArtsCare interests/involvements that you would like to offer to the community. If you have a photograph or a website that aids your explanation, please include it. These write-ups should be edited and ready for inclusion on the Arts and Health Resource listing. Indicate whether you are volunteering a service or if there is a charge.
3. Journalist Mohini Singh is working with us to create a promotional video that will document beginning ArtsCare initiatives. When complete this will become a valuable education and information tool for presentation of our ideas.
4. Also for inclusion on the website, we invite you to submit suggestions for a reading resource list. This list will include relevant books, print periodicals and websites. The hope isÊto establish a resource lending library of these sources.
5. Discussions will begin on creating an signature community event that will best publicize the benefits and intentions of ArtsCare.
We look forward to all that we can accomplish together and hope to see you at our regular meetings. Please inform others you think might be interested.
For information on previous ArtsCare sessions, click HERE.
ArtsCare events are presented in association with Okanagan College.
|
