A new art exhibit in 100 Mile House aims to give the viewer a glimpse of the transition into recovery.
Members of Psalm 23 Society, a transitional house for men with struggles such as drug addiction, sexual or physical abuse, and depression, have created the art over several months.
We spoke to Executive Director Marvin Declare about the show:
[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://840.countryfm.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/APR5-ART-SHOW-CLIP-1.mp3″] “Part of this is the avenue of believing in themselves, and this is an achievement for them. Really this is a celebration, this is their night. I get wrapped up in tears and emotion because this is a very huge avenue in the recovery process and healing.”
Declare says the art comes from a group of current and graduated program members, one of whom is named James Richard Vickers. Vickers is not only a graduate, but is now a support worker with Psalm 23.
Vickers explains why you should go see the show:
[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://840.countryfm.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/APR5-ART-SHOW-CLIP-2.wav”] “So they can learn about the guys and what they have gone through and what they’re trying to do. It’s about trying to change for the better, so you don’t want people in your community to not have help, you want them to get better and this is the way they’re doing it.”
Vickers, very open in our conversation, say his main addiction was heroin before he came to Psalm 23. He says he was stunned upon arriving here in the Cariboo for the program because it’s so out of the way and the program is so good.
He says, “I’ve never done anything like this in my life.”
Neither has Art Expression Instructor Gina Myhill-Jones who says she was certainly nervous going into something new. We asked her what type of changes she’s seen:
[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://840.countryfm.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/APR5-ART-SHOW-CLIP-3.wav”] “What’s really changed is me. My opinions, my interactions with the guys, my interactions with people on the street in general. My art has expanded as a result of helping them to find ways to express things.”
She explains she was nervous because of all the stigmas attached to the various types of struggles..
She says the show, which runs until April 26th, will hopefully, “start a conversation.”
Psalm 23 has been contacted about potentially brining the show to art galleries in Abbotsford and Penticton, according to Executive Director Marvin Declare.
The gallery is open for the show Monday to Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday from 12pm-4pm. All the content of this story was compiled at the show’s opening night gala on Friday, April 4th.
Photo courtesy Josh Hall (Opening night gala with the artists, book-ended by Executive Director Marvin Declare and Art Instructor Gina Myhill-Jones on April 4th, 2014.)