Local artists are finding ways to stay busy, stay creative and support vulnerable residents at the same time.
Meg Leslie is putting a new twist on her Flirting with the Arts program in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s calling it Flirting with the Arts — Lighthouse Edition.
Leslie, Emily Dilecce and Steph Whalen are the artists who have so far come on board. They will be sending materials and instructions to the women being housed in hotels by the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter.
In response to the pandemic, the Lighthouse, which typically only houses men, recently opened a women's shelter at a local hotel.
“I was thinking of the people in the shelter and how hard that must be. They’re in hotel rooms and they’re bored,” said Leslie. “Being creative is healing and it’s a great way to pass the time.”
The artists need the community’s help to make the program a success. Leslie has started a GoFundMe account, which can be found here, with the goal of raising $1,000. That would cover the cost of five workshops for 15 people.
“Every $200 basically pays for an artist and 15 kits,” she explained.
As of Tuesday afternoon, $275 had been raised.
Tax receipts can be issued to those who donate to the effort.
Some artists are donating the material, but not everyone is in a position to do the same, as the pandemic has hit their sector hard.
“I want to pay the artists because I know a lot of them are struggling,” Leslie said. “The beautiful thing is it is helping artists to find creative, new ways to still be working and doing what they love and helping people.”
Dilecce’s workshop will focus on needlepoint. Whalen will have the shelter guests work on watercolours. Leslie will have them make ceramics.
Each artist will provide materials and one sheet of handwritten instructions for guests to follow.
For Leslie’s workshop, the guests will make small pots out of clay. When they are finished, Leslie will glaze the pots and fire them in her kiln and return them to the women with a candle in them.
While the goal is to raise $1,000, Leslie is ready to take it further if enough support is generated.
“If we keep raising money, we can expand it,” she said.
