To create the show, Glenise and Theo worked with social worker Lindsay Ames, as well as
Allison Tunis, the artist In residence at YESS.
Allison, whose background is in art therapy, values art activities as a way to help youth at YESS cope with the circumstances of their lives.
“A lot of the youth here at YESS are in very tough situations,” says Allison. “They’re homeless, a lot of them have issues with addictions or trauma. And art can provide that outlet where ‘I just need something to get my mind off it, deal with something else for now.’ Or for others, it’s a bit more of an expressive outlet, so it’s more like ‘Where can I put my feelings? How can I express them instead of hurting other people or myself?’ And still others are serious about their art. I have a few youths here who are looking at art as a method of financial gain, or as a career, or something that they might like to go to school for. “
One of the ways Allison helps youth work toward those goals is through keeping an eye out for opportunities to expose their art, applying for grants and entering shows.
“A show is a big deal because they can see that they’ve made something valuable and that
other people value it enough that they will buy it.”
Allison’s work with Tianna LeBlanc has led to success with a city-run public art program that will see Tianna’s work on a billboard. Tianna also felt the thrill of making money from her art at the Art Walk on Whyte last summer.
Tianna, who will graduate from Centre High next semester, is starting to build a portfolio in the hope of attending the fine arts program at the University of Alberta.
“The art show at Dandi-lines has made me feel like I am a part of something bigger than
myself,” says Tianna. “I feel like an official artist having had the help of Allison and mentors at
the gallery to show me how to put myself out there within Edmonton’s art community and to
really believe in myself and what I put on the canvas, so to speak.”
Dimitra Georgiadis has also experienced the joy of selling her art, including a painting that
someone saw on the wall and specifically asked to buy. “It makes me feel really good,” she
says, her face lighting up.“I just get very happy when somebody wants to buy my art.”
Dimitra has no firm plans for her future as an artist. “I want to keep making art. I never want to stop learning about it and trying new things.”
Alec Moses, whose art will also be on display, found a pleasant, small-world connection when
he participated in the workshop: Glenise was a teacher at Balwin Elementary School and Theo
did a residency when he was a student there. He still uses some of the techniques that he
learned at Balwin.
“I like to draw as a way of putting my mind to work, to keep me occupied when I’m bored,” Alecsays. He’s grateful for the materials and space provided by YESS at its Armoury Building on 85th Avenue.