The L’Arche Calgary Art Show, held June 1-6 at cSPACE Marda Loop, brought together artists, families, supporters, neighbours, and members of the wider Calgary community to celebrate creativity, connection, and belonging.
The exhibition featured hundreds of original works created by Core Members through the Tamarack Day Program Art Studio. Throughout the week, visitors had the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their work, and experience the pride and excitement that came with seeing their artwork displayed and celebrated. By the end of the exhibition, 54 original paintings had been sold, along with numerous prints, while 25 donations helped raise a total of $4,425 in support of the Tamarack Day Program Art Studio.
For Annice Pendrel, whose daughter Alison has been a Core Member at L’Arche Calgary for five years, the experience was about much more than the artwork itself. She saw artists encouraging one another, celebrating each other’s successes, and eagerly sharing their work with visitors.
Here, Annice shares what stayed with her after the exhibition.
We attended the L’Arche Calgary Art Show and I want to share how I felt as I met the artists. We were greeted by Mike who showed us his self portrait. He asked if I could guess who it was and was quite pleased when I said it was him. Mike told me the picture had been sold and he was very happy. He then asked him if I would like his autograph and when he finished, I noticed that there were about six people waiting to give me their autograph as well.
One young lady wanted to give me her autograph, but the only letter she could make was “C”. The other six people told her they would help her and they patiently described how to make each letter until she was done. She was beaming.
Next I stopped to watch Stephen paint. He told me some of his paintings had sold for “real money”. He emphasized that it was real and he had not expected it because he had only been painting for three years and loves it. His paintings showed the love.
As I walked down the aisle, each person I knew called me over. Heather was the happiest I had ever seen her and she had sold several paintings. By this time, I was in tears. I was experiencing community joy, individuals helping each other, and beautiful pieces of art. The artists were sharing their pictures and also encouraging you to see everyone else’s paintings. If I hadn’t seen it, they directed me to the next. This was a place where everyone was seen. It was the best art show I have ever attended and I sincerely hope there are more.
Annice Pendrel
Parent in the L’Arche Calgary Community
Annice’s reflection captures something at the heart of the Tamarack Day Program Art Studio: art is not only about creating something beautiful. It is also an
opportunity for Core Members to develop skills, express themselves, share their gifts, and participate in community life. The Art Studio creates space for those moments to happen, while the wider community helps ensure those gifts are seen and celebrated.
The Art Show may be over, but you can still take a piece of it home.
Many of the original artworks featured in the exhibition are still available for purchase online. Browse the collection, discover the artists and their work, and support the Tamarack Day Program Art Studio with your purchase.
Browse and purchase artwork from the L’Arche Calgary Art Show
Thank you to everyone who visited the exhibition, purchased artwork, donated, volunteered, or helped spread the word. Your support continues to celebrate the creativity, dignity, and gifts of people with intellectual disabilities and helps create more opportunities for Core Members to share their gifts with the community.
