By Caitlin Brezinski

An art gala for the ages

Sep 20, 2014 | 8:35 AM

This years’ Special Care Home Week will kick off with the third Annual Art Gala on September 21st at the Parkland Integrated Health Centre in Shellbrook.

The Herb Bassett Home in Prince Albert held the gala for the past two years but this year is an opportunity to showcase Shellbrook’s new facility.

Trina Chamberlain, host and recreation coordinator for Shellbrook, worked on this year’s event. With help from Frank Suchorab and Jen Mcdougall, chairs of the organizing committee.

The purpose of special care home week is to engage the residents with the community by opening up the homes to the public. The art gala is one way of doing this.

“It’s a way of letting folks know that just because you may be an elder or you may live in a care home, that you still have an artistic spirit and lots to express,” said Suchorab.

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About 220 tickets were sold last year, which raised about $8000. All of the money goes back to the care homes to buy more art supplies for the residents.

“It keeps it going. It keeps it funded so that we never have to stop and it goes directly back to the residents and every piece of art is made strictly by the residents here,” Mcdougall said.

Last years’ event showcased about 300 pieces of art and this year there will be about 200. The art gala will feature an auction, as well. Attached to each piece of art will be a bio that says who the artist is and how the art has helped them express themselves.

As to what people can expect, Suchorab and Mcdougall agree that it does get emotional. 

“As soon as you talk to a resident and they talk about their painting and how proud they are, people need to come capture that,” Mcdougall said. 

Tickets are $20 each and anyone can attend.

panews@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow