Creative Endeavours
When I joined the Kingston Chapter Board of Directors in
1994, I found out that there were quite a few MS patients in continuing
care facilities and I began visiting them. At St. Mary’s
of the Lake Hospital I met Marcello DiBarbora, Hugh Ames and Tony
Xuereb among others, but these three have a special gift. When
a volunteer artist approached the Volunteer Department a new program
was begun in 1997. With the assistance of an OT at the hospital,
mouth prostheses were made for each of these gentlemen and they
began to express themselves on canvas, producing amazing works.
The volunteers mix the colours for each artist and give advice,
if asked, but the finished painting is their own creation.
In 2001 with the valuable help of a new volunteer at St. Mary’s
(and now an MS member too) we began a new project, to photograph
their paintings and make cards for sale. Our official launch on
November 21st. at St. Mary’s was a huge success. We also
have photos on matted backings suitable for framing. The cards
sell for $2.50 each or 4 for $8.00. The matted photos are $5.00
each and can be ordered by calling our office at (613) 384-8500.
Our next project for 2003 will be a 12-Month Calendar featuring
the artists’ newest work.
Respectfully submitted,
Madeline Stanton
