Delta Manor’s Art Show

April 27, 2018

The community room at our Delta Manor transitional housing residence was recently bustling with excitement! On Tuesday, April 10th tenants and staff gathered around desks where residents proudly displayed artwork for a community art show. It was the first art show for site, but certainly won’t be the last.

The event was planned over the course of a few months by a group of staff members who wanted to give residents the opportunity to share their art. Hadijat, one of the social workers who organized the event, explained that presently there is no group that facilitates art projects at Delta Manor so tenants work on pieces individually.

Art can serve as an important form of self-expression. It comes as no surprise that studies continue to show the correlation between art and enhanced mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. But showcasing art can be just as profound.

Classical music played through speakers as staff members and residents walked through the space and observed the art work on display. A step and repeat banner with the CUCS logo was set up for the artists to have their pictures taken. As the residents stood with their art for a photo, a few shared their inspiration with the audience.

One tenant painted a few abstract pieces mixing painting with poetry he had written about his family. Another had drawn a scallop shell, reminiscent of trips he used to take South with his mother where they would excitedly collect the rare shells. Tenants also proudly displayed the work of a former tenant who had left behind a hand drawn picture of a dragon statue that had been on his social worker’s desk.

As the event wound down, tenants thanked each other for sharing their work. The eclectic collections varied greatly in style and meaning, but the feeling of pride and gratitude resonated throughout. With the success of the art show, the Delta Manor staff hopes to plan more events that allow residents to share with one another.