Hope Bridges encourages adult expression Canada Day in Kinsmen Park

Patricia Timmermans
Hope Bridges Society

 

Strathmore residents enjoy a celebration and Canada Day in Kinsmen Park last year was no exception.
Along with local charities, groups and businesses, Hope Bridges was invited to represent their involvement in the community at Kinsmen Park.
After some careful thought about how to show what Hope Bridges is about, Coordinator Wanda, Creative Support Heather and Go Green Upcycling Workshop Facilitator Trisha decided to let the adults paint on the back of recycled wallpaper.
This painting ‘class’ in the park wasn’t about brushes and canvas. Passersby would be recruited to kick off their shoes and paint with their feet!
The first few onlookers were skeptical, some avoided eye contact, but when a few courageous individuals took off their shoes, others stopped to watch.
The Hope Bridges Society serves adults of the community, which meant no pushing their kids into the spotlight for this activity. A few adult-sized feet stepped into mainly red paint, the color of Canada Day, then onto the canvas. An eclectic collage of footprints created by community feet was the result and today it hangs on the wall at FCSS.
To those who created it, like Joanne, seeing the collage is a permanent reminder of a pleasant Canada Day in the park with her grandchildren. Questions from the public about this unique piece generally start the conversation of what it means to sign up for a workshop. The painters were inspired and others were excited to hear that Hope Bridges is here for all adults of Strathmore and Wheatland County who wish to become involved.
If you would like to see more about Hope Bridges, please see this video on our website (http://www.hopebridges.ca/video/994/).