Hope Bridges celebrates 10 years

Posted on: Staff Writer

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Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

In commemoration of 10 ardent years, the Hope Bridges Society is bringing back numerous artists and various highlights featured at galas over the past decade, during this year’s milestone celebration.
Local artists are collaborating with the Rosebud School of Arts, Strathmore Theatre Players, and other guests to create an entertaining night filled with music, laughter, and the spoken word.
While the event has always provided an opportunity to showcase local art and join in the celebration of artistic expression, the society also introduced their diverse workshops – which include drumming, Sing Your High Note, and music therapy – several years ago.
“The gala is a celebration of Hope Bridges,” said Wanda Reinholdt, program coordinator with the Hope Bridges Society. “Local and regional artists come together to celebrate art and the connection that it creates between people. The focus is not fundraising the focus is celebration.”
The Hope Bridges Society – a community-based, not-for-profit organization – emerged from Project Hope, a therapeutic program offered to students in the Golden Hills School Division.
With few opportunities in Strathmore and Wheatland County for the students once they graduated from high school, several community members created the Hope Bridges Society in 2005, to offer art classes and workshops to adults.
Since its initial creation, the society has seen the number of participants increase significantly and their presence in the community flourish.
As this year marks the society’s 10th anniversary, guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.
“Your finest and somebody else’s finest will be different,” said Reinholdt. “We just want to encourage people to dress up in their finest whatever that looks like.”
The Artists Among us Fall Gala will take place at the Hope Covenant Church on Oct. 22. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and performance starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and only available for purchase at the door.