Director envisions day when artists are invited to curated shows by their peers in the broader community
Michelle Strutzenberger
Daryl shone as a friendly and engaging host at the posAbilities inclusion art show last week.
The Vancouver artist describes the evening event at Heritage Hall as “fun,” and his mother Kate Evans says that enjoyment showed through clearly as he showed people his artwork and told them some of his story.
The posAbilities inclusion art show featured paintings, glassworks, pottery, photography, illustrations, jewelery and textiles.
“He really got into being a host, shaking hands and welcoming people,” she notes.
His sales success was also noteworthy, she says. Daryl creates First Nations-themed cards, of which he sold about 100.
Dee Blackmore, who co-ordinates a pottery program for artists who have a disability, adds that the event was both enjoyable and good for sales.
Three of the people she works with in particular were very successful, she says, both at connecting with the public and making sales.
“That was great to see,” she says.
“This is behind everything we do. What we’re really trying to achieve is that kind of connection and inclusion.”
Director of community engagement Monique Nelson agrees inclusion is what this event is all about.
Daryl says he especially enjoyed seeing the pottery displayed by his artist peers at the Oct. 25 event.
“Sharing physical space and interests, like arts and culture, can assist everyone involved in the show with developing new community connections, ultimately assisting us with furthering our mission,” she notes.
Monique adds she was thrilled to see fresh faces at this year’s event. In addition to the usual friends, families and neighbours that join, students in recreation therapy, special education and community support came in for the evening.
Asked what she’d like to see happen, if anything were possible, through building on this successful connection-making, Monique says it would be great to have the featured artists invited to participate in curated shows by their peers in the broader community.
“Who knows where those connections could lead?” she says.
General feedback on this year’s inclusion art show event was very positive, as it has been in the past.
Kate says she heard from various people, including friends that accompanied her, that they considered it very impressive.
“PosAbilities did a fabulous job yet again,” says Dee.
“It’s an enormous job that they do every year and the level of everything was as high as it always is.
“You just have to take your hat off to them.”
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