SUMMARY—With funding from the True Patriot Love Foundation, the PEI Military Family Resource Centre (PEI MFRC) is launching an arts program for PEI Veterans and military families.
For immediate release
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI, August 20—The PEI Military Family Resource Centre is launching a new program for PEI Veterans and military families that aims to increase wellbeing through art. Over the next nine months, participants of the Creative Arts Program will get the chance to learn new artistic experiences.
The PEI MFRC has partnered with East Coast Art Party to offer a hands-on painting tutorial each month. Additionally, participants will learn various other forms of art such as macramé, journalling, woodwork, resin, pottery and more, and they will be exposed to other artistic experiences such as drumming, music therapy, storytelling, etc.
Many of the sessions will be facilitated by Veterans, enabling them to share their craft,” says Leona Conrick, Executive Director of the PEI MFRC. “We really want to create a community that learns from each other and celebrates art for art’s sake.
Veteran Family Program Coordinator Sue Pollard notes the different levels of benefits the Creative Arts Program hopes to provide.
Peer-to-peer teaching has been shown to be so powerful across many communities, and we wanted to pair that model with an artistic outlet for Veterans and military families,” she says. “The arts have been proven to have positive effects on mental health and wellbeing. And, since we’ll be bringing the same group of people together regularly, there’s also a social element involved in the program that’s just as beneficial as the artistic endevour itself.
The Creative Arts Program is funded by True Patriot Love (TPL) Foundation, a national organization dedicated to supporting Veterans, military members, and military families across Canada.
“We could not offer this program without the financial assistance of the True Patriot Love Foundation and to individual donors who gave to TPL” states Conrick. “While this is a national organization, True Patriot Love has provided long-term and regular support to Veterans and military families here on PEI, and we’re so grateful for their support.”
The official launch of the Creative Arts Program takes place August 30 at 6:30pm, with an informal meet and greet and information session prior to a shell painting activity, led by East Coast Art Party. To register or for more information, call 902.892.8999 or email registration@pei-mfrc.org. There is no cost to participate, all artistic supplies will be provided, and absolutely no previous artistic experience is necessary to participate.