Hope Bridges expands into Wheatland

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

With a concrete foundation of programming secured in Strathmore, a community-based not-for-profit art organization is cashing in on years of promotion and establishing relationships with surrounding communities by moving ahead with a Wheatland County expansion.
For years the Hope Bridges Society established their now approximately 400-member-strong community of artists and facilitators, and developed a creative lineup of programs. As numbers continue to climb, the society is moving full steam ahead to bring programs to the communities including Rockyford, Rosebud, Carseland, Hussar, and Standard.
“Hope Bridges’ intention has always been to serve not only Strathmore but Wheatland County,” said Wanda Reinholdt, Hope Bridges Society program coordinator. “We have had contact and built relationships with various individuals within the county, but we have not until the last year or so really started developing regular workshops and deeper relationships within the county. That’s because we were laying down a foundation of regular programming in Strathmore first, and when that solidified we moved into the county.”
The Hope Bridges Society already worked with Rockyford Community Connections and the Rockyford Library in facilitating the Zentangle workshop – a method of using repetitive patterns – and in the spring will offer drawing classes led by legally-blind artist Pat Timmermans.
While Rockyford was the first community to host a Hope Bridges Society workshop outside of Strathmore, it also played host to the society’s annual gala event. In turn, the non-profit organization honoured the village with a Zentangle creation at their gala in 2015 – artwork that is now displayed at the Rockyford Library.
“One of the key things that we find is that every community is different so every community has different needs and different goals. Because of that sometimes it takes some time to find the best fit for the community,” Reinholdt said. “Having these partners that live and work in the community and that we can have discussions to brainstorm around is so essential and we value these partners greatly. They are the key to our success, and we cannot be successful without them.”
The society, which offers art-based classes and workshops for adults, was also approached by the Carseland Jett Setters who then received an introduction into the Upcycling program. Interest has also been shown for a Zentangle and pottery workshop in the Carseland area.
For the future, Hope Bridges is partnering up with the Village of Standard – whose service groups have also been supporting the society through financial means – for the very first time. Connections are currently being fostered with Hussar and Gleichen as well.
For more information on workshops, dates, registration, and contact information, visit www.hopebridges.ca.