Recovery through art

St. Boniface

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This article was published 12/06/2024 (555 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Art has become a lifeline for some of the folks who attend programming at the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba.

The St. Boniface-based organization, located at b-247 Provencher Blvd., offers a number of in-person and virtual programs, support services, and resources for individuals recovering from strokes, as well as their families and caregivers.

This includes an art therapy program, which encourages participation from people of all levels of artistic ability. The program incorporates a variety of mediums and themes, and gives individuals the opportunity to immerse themselves in a fun environment and explore their creativity, while also helping them in their respective stroke recovery journeys, such as helping to restore hand/eye co-ordination.

Julie Western, Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba’s office and program manager, said members involved with the art therapy program might have had a stroke as recently as two years ago, or as long ago as three decades.

“It’s good therapy,” Western said. “People get to work with their hands, stretch their minds, and socialize and be in each other’s company. Everyone understands each other, and they know they’re in a safe space.”

To celebrate their progress and share their creations with the wider community, several of the artists will exhibit their work at an upcoming show called A Stroke of Art.

The exhibit will be on display at La Maison des artistes visuels francophones (101-219 Provencher Blvd.) in old St. Boniface from June 27 to July 6. The opening reception is scheduled for June 27 at 7 p.m.

The showcase will include pieces by Melanie Fisher, Colleen Grywinski, Vera Hrycenko, Daniel Kimball, Patricia Mitchell, Tristan Nicolas, Shawn Obedzinski, Joe Unrau, and Charlotte Watkins.

Obedzinski has been involved with the association for around 15 years, and said she wasn’t necessarily artistic before becoming involved with the program.

“I looked at it as a way to get my hand moving,” Obedzinski said, noting it didn’t take long for her to embrace the camaraderie that’s a key part of it.

“When you come here, you’re part of a family. It’s a sharing experience together, and everyone’s accepted.”

Obedzinski said she now paints at home, as it’s become a pursuit she loves, and it also helps her to relax.

“Everyone understands each other, and they know they’re in a safe space.”

“When we’re painting together, everyone’s personality comes through,” she added.

The northeast Winnipeg resident said the most pleasurable projects to work on are the groups ones, when participants have the chance to collaborate. One example that comes to mind, she said, was when each group member was inspired by a different song, and collaborated on an abstract piece.

Obedzinski is looking forward to the group’s work being shown at a renowned local gallery; she said it’s an extension of the bind the art therapy group has cultivated.

“To us, it’s very exciting. We’re all at different artistic levels, but it doesn’t matter,” Obedzinski said.

“If someone comes in quietly one day, it’s OK to ask them if they need a hug that day. And if someone’s upset, that’s OK, too. It’s all part of our recovery.”

Go online at strokerecovery.ca for more information.