Veterans and Tenants Art Program Renewed

For the second year in a row, Senior Living tenants participate in an arts program funded by Support Our Troops, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of Canadian Forces members and Veterans. The organization typically funds programs for only one year, but was inspired to renew after several of its officials attended an exhibition of art produced by program participants.

“We were blown away by the quality of the art in the exhibition,” says Sandy Gauthier, Associate Director, Support Our Troops Operations. “During the event, a Veteran tenant by the name of Stan Stewart described the positive impact that participating in the program had on his health and well-being. We decided to renew the funding for another year.”

Here is an excerpt from Stan Stewart's speech: “Art classes provide me with a sense of achievement, increase my self-esteem and above all they give me an opportunity to interact with other people who also suffer from dementia.”

Local artists, including some members of the Ozerdinc Grimes Family Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts team, facilitate the weekly sessions, which feature a variety of media, and are held in Commissionaires Ottawa Place and in the 1780 Russell Road apartment building.

Artist, Graham Mastersmith, leads Senior Living tenants in a winter-themed art project.