Hope Bridges Go Green Up-Cycling for everyone

Times Contributor    

 

Hope Bridges in Strathmore is pleased to showcase their Up-Cycling workshops available for adults of all abilities.

Go Green Up-Cycling is a program that allows adults to create pieces of art from recycled materials, creating something out of nothing and making it beautiful. 

Participants can register for this program which is available on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Unit #5, 104 3 avenue. 

Since the fall of 2012, Hope Bridges has been providing regular weekly arts workshops for all adults. They are thrilled to have grown to the point that adults of all abilities including seniors and individuals with special needs, as well as their caregivers. 

As hoped, the relationship and connection found at these events is having a significant impact on the health and welfare of those who attend. 

Their goal this year is to expand their facilitator base so that they can offer a larger variety of arts workshops at different times in more locations throughout Strathmore and the county, and thereby include a greater segment of the adult population.

“It is incredibly inspirational to see businesses, organizations and individuals come together to create large Up-Cycling projects like our latest piece, a bench called ‘Belong,’ ” said coordinator Wanda Reinholdt.

“There is such a supportive and excited spirit that comes from doing the steps to create them. We love imagining what the end result will look like and who will be enjoying it in our community. Our goal is to spread this joy in all parts of Strathmore and Wheatland County by providing more arts workshops. We are enlarging our facilitator base to do just that.” 

Hope Bridges participants and staff have already made two community art projects that will be auctioned off at a spring auction in April (date TBA). 

The first art piece – a gift card mural called ‘Flight’ – is currently being displayed at Westmount School. The second project, ‘Belong’, is a beautiful wooden bench that has been painted in a vivid mint green with white lace stencils. It is currently at the Hope Bridges location awaiting the spring auction. The third project is still in its bare bones stage and will be a colorful weaving project. It will be given a name as they start creating the art piece.

Johanna Jackins, facilitator of the Up-Cycling program, has a wealth of knowledge of all things creative which can clearly be seen at the Hope Bridges office. 

Her muse is everything recyclable, creating beautiful pieces of art with everything from light bulbs, used corks, and even old books. It takes a special person with the eye and flair for art to facilitate such projects and see them through. Johanna said on the website that she “feels creating is one of the greatest joys in life and feels most fulfilled when doing it.” 

Regular participant Katy Webster says, “I enjoy coming every week because I like doing arts and crafts, it’s fun to do and I get to take home everything I create.”

The organization’s goal is to make their workshops accessible to anyone including price, location and transportation. The locations are all wheelchair accessible and transportation vouchers are given to anyone who may need a ride. Financial and transportation assistance is available.

For more information contact Hope Bridges by phone at 403-983-3640 or e-mail Reinholdt (coordinator@hopebridges.ca).