Art

Creator of unique art program at Sarnia's Standing Oaks has retired – The Sarnia Observer

Published

1 year ago

July 23, 2023

Sue Bendall helps Jeremy Vautour with a shaving cream and paint project during a weekly Hands on Art class in 2016 at Standing Oaks in Sarnia. Photo by File photo /The Observer

There has been a changing of the guard in a long-running art program at Standing Oaks, a 10-bed home in Sarnia for individuals with complex care needs.

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Sue Bendall, who created the art program a decade ago, has retired.

“It was time to pass the torch,” she said.

Standing Oaks opened in 2004 and was the result of years of work by a group of parents who formed Community Concerns for the Medically Fragile.

“Not only were they going to provide a very safe and medically-supportive environment for their kids, they really wanted there to be focus on quality of life,” said the group’s administrator Chris Steeves.

“They brainstormed ideas and decided to hire an art director who would obviously need to be somebody pretty special to figure out how they could initiate a program involving medically fragile individuals who have either no mobility or very, very limited mobility.”

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Bendall, who had worked with the blind and deaf, “and was an extremely gifted artist herself, created just a fantastic and unique – like, one-of-a-kind – art program,” Steeves said.

The program was called Hands on Art and Bendall adapted art projects to residents of Standing Oaks.

“She ran that program for 10 years and every single week, with a few exceptions,” Steeves said.

“To come up with new ideas for that many art sessions – if you do the math that’s 500ish – to work with an incredibly restricted population, is pretty extraordinary,” Steeves said.

Bendall’s final art session at the home was in June.

“The residents have come to just love the program,” Steeves said. “It puts them in a really good mood – really enhancing their day. It tuckers them out, somewhat, which is a good thing . . . because we need to have mentally challenging parts of our day,” she said.

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“To have accomplished all that, we think is extraordinary.”

Tracy Tobin, who was recommended by Bendall, has been hired to continue the program, Steeves said,

Also recently, the Catherine Wilson Foundation granted the program $1,000 for art supplies.

“It was very rewarding,” Bendall said of her time working with residents at Standing Oaks.

“They definitely had their favourite types of art they liked to do,” including painting notecards using marbles, as well as “swipe art where we use shower squeegees,” she said.

“They pick out their colours and we put dots on a page and they swish is all down,”

Bendall said previously she was always on the lookout for bubble wrap they would put on the floor so the residents could roll over it in their wheelchairs, creating a sound like fireworks.

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“We’ll have a dance party all over the bubble wrap,” Bendall told The Observer in 2016.

And then, the wrap would be collected and used for more art projects.

“There’s so many smiles,” she said. “During class, if we can get the music going and dance and be silly . . . that’s all a bonus.”

The program was also part of several exhibitions and community art events in years past.

Bendall said it was hard during the pandemic when the residents couldn’t have their regular weekly art sessions, although staff at the home did what they could.

“Some of the staff would call me for ideas to try,” Bendall said.

Recently, Bendall started her own business, SCQ Memories making “memory” stuffies and pillows from clothing of loved ones who have died.

“So I’m helping people in another way,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to Community Concerts for the Medically Fragile for giving me the opportunity,” Bendall said.

“I’m very excited that Tracy is taking over because she will do fantastic.”

pmorden@postmedia.com

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Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

4 weeks ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Art

Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

Published

4 weeks ago

August 15, 2024

Harry Miller

Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.