Youth Outreach: The Power of Art & Creative Expression | Addiction & Recovery Program | A partnership with Portage

Youth Addiction & Recovery Program: The Power of Art and Creative Expression.

This program offers weekly art and creative expression classes to residents at Portage Elora as a conduit for acceptance, sharing and healing. It allows for emotional exploration, development of coping strategies and sharing the challenges of recovery. Run by arts educators, engagement facilitators and a social worker. The program runs in the gallery and classroom at the Elora Centre for the Arts throughout the school year.

FOR THE 2023 / 2024 SESSIONS – we are so thankful to The Dalglish Family Foundation and Skyline Group of Companies for their generous support of this program!

You can support this program too!   To help us continue to offer this program in the months ahead, please click here.

A bit about the Program:

We schedule a variety of art projects – something new each week, aimed at connecting the journey of recovery to the art making process.  Our schedule for the coming season includes:

• The art of Blacksmith Forging
• 3D lettering
• Acrylic painting on mylar
• Fire painting on veneer
• Movement & Improvisation
• Expressive Music
• Pyrography
• Collaborative canvas
• We’ve also explored contemporary clay abstract sculptures, urban graffiti landscapes, virtual reality art and so much more!

Feedback from Portage Participants about our Program:

“The kids came back to our property and they were kids again. They were skipping and dancing and twirling around. It was like they came out of their shell” – Kristin, Executive Director of Portage Elora

“Viewing the gallery was so cool. The whole atmosphere with the chill music, the tea, and art supplies everywhere. It’s just a nice place to be” – S., Participant

“Even travelling from Portage to the Arts Centre was always so fun. We had great conversations in the van and we were able to continue the positive experience” – C., Participant

“I learned so much about myself from one drawing. The activities allowed us to see ourselves in our art and not be defined by our past trauma” -C., Participant

“The expectation was set from the beginning that it was a judgement-free zone and there is no bad art. That was really helpful for me because I could feel safe making mistakes” – M., Participant

“At first I wanted rulers and guidelines and by the end I was able to trust myself to make creative decisions” – M., Participant

“A lot of activities were outside my comfort zone and I really liked that I stomped on my fears and found new things to do that I liked” – W., Participant