Sneak peak of Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Unpacking the suitcase

Here’s a sneak peak of the exhibition at Martin Luther University College, Keffer Chapel. Now till November 29, 2024

Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Unpacking your suitcase

Opening reception: Wednesday, Sept 25, 2024, 5 pm

Refreshments will be served - Free parking available

Martin Luther University College, Bricker & Albert Streets, Waterloo

Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Unpacking the suitcase

Where: Martin Luther University College, Bricker & Albert Streets, Waterloo

When: Sept 9 - Nov 29, 2024

Artists: Michael ManChoi Chow, Kerry L Ross

Featuring interviews by Carol Pinnock with new Canadians and returning Canadians about what they take with them that remind them of ‘Home’ and what does the sense of belonging mean for them

Sils and Lorha brought to Canada from Guyana

Chez Nous at GRACe, 144 Gaukel St, Kitchener - May 3 to 31, 2024 (Copy)

A Group Collaboration on the theme of HOME

ManChoi Chow | Arlene McCarthy | Tom Samolczyk | Val Thomson | Anne Williamson | Roger Young

Opening Reception Friday, May 3, 4-8 pm

Thursdays May 9, 16, 23, 30 — 3 to 6 pm

Saturdays May 4, 11, 18, 25 — 11 am to 2 pm

Victoria Day, May 20 — 11 am to 2 pm

‘Chez Nous’

I collaborated with 5 other retired professionals from education, finance and health care to created this exhibit over the past 18 months. Using various media (acrylics, water-colour and photography) accompanied by prose and poetry, we have created an interesting mixed media exhibit. Each artist explores the theme of HOME drawing upon our own life and professional experiences to reveal what HOME may mean to us and to others. Revealing that HOME is more than four walls and a roof, but a living and dynamic process.

Homeless

I began with ideas of “my home”, and then considered what home means to those who don’t have a place to call “home”, as the crisis of homelessness has exploded all around us.

Like many others, I have been disturbed by the crisis of adequate affordable housing in just about every community in Canada, and definitely “at home” in Kitchener. As an artist, I want to use this exhibit as a means to engage with this social challenge.

a.b.t.c

“Home is where you love and where you are loved,” said Father Toby when I spoke to him about A Better Tent City, part of the response to many residents in Waterloo Region who are precariously housed.

Father Toby Collins, CR, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kitchener, guided me through A Better Tent City (ABTC) in December. ABTC is home to a community of residents who are underhoused. There are supervised facilities on site for food, shelter and support.

“unforgiven”

Brad, who is site supervisor at A Better Tent City, spoke about how many chose to return after experiencing isolation, living in alternate housing because they miss the community at A Better Tent City where they feel safe and cared for and experience forgiveness not judgement.

Home for all

This further led me to reflect on the common home for all who share the planet.

Again, I am reminded that we are inter-connected and inter-dependent, no matter human, animal, bird, aquatic, insect, vegetation, or microbial.

inter-dependence

We thrive or we perish, together!

A hard lesson, to be sure, that we can no longer ignore. While looking for solutions to homelessness is daunting, I am emboldened that crisis is both danger and opportunity.

'The Nature of Things' Opening Reception

Art & Vespers - Sunday, Feb 12, 3 pm

Martin Luther University College, Bricker & Albert Streets, Waterloo

FEBRUARY 1 – APRIL 14, 2023

THE NATURE OF THINGS: LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Art exhibit by students from Elizabeth Ziegler Public School, Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School, and Waterloo Collegiate Institute | Curator: Carol Pinnock

ART AND VESPERS | February 12, 3 p.m.
with Bradley Moggach and Matthew Wilkinson, musical duo Keffer Chapel, Martin Luther University College

Digital Exhibit opens February 12, 2023 | kanataart.blogspot.com A project of the Kanata Centre with funding from the Eastern Synod Mission Grant

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Dorinda Kruger Allen at 519.884.0710 x3241 or dkrugerallen@luther.wlu.ca

The Nature of Things - Opening Reception

Join us for the Opening Reception of ‘The Nature of Things: Listening to the Voices of our Children and Youth’

Sunday, Feb 12, 3 pm

Martin Luther University College, Bricker Ave, Waterloo