Art for Healing Foundation working with residents at Portage’s Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers Centre

On October 27, 2011 residents and staff members at Portage’s rehabilitation centre for Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (MICA) had a special visit from multidisciplinary artist Yannick Sasseville and Earl Pinchuk, co-founder of the Art for Healing Foundation.

Mr. Sasseville, a visual and multidisciplinary artist based in Montréal, presented a work of art to the residents, explaining the concept of the painting and how it evolved during the course of its creation. He and Mr. Pinchuk explained the therapeutic benefits of art and how they hope that Mr. Sasseville’s painting, which now hangs proudly in the MICA centre, will inspire residents in their rehabilitation.

The residents found the presentation very interesting, and engaged in a lively question and answer period.

The Art for Healing Foundation is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to bring the healing power of art to hospitals and wellness facilities, transforming otherwise sterile public and patient areas into inspiring environments that encourage a sense of serenity and hope for patients, their families, and healthcare providers.