ELORA – The Elora Centre for the Arts is helping youth struggling with an addiction through art classes.
The Youth Addiction and Recovery Program: The Power of Art and Creative Expression is into its third year.
Judy Anderson, manager of programming and education at the Centre said in an interview with The Grand 101, the program helps residents of Portage Elora Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre process difficult feelings.
“It’s a place that they can go to when they are feeling challenged, and just all about going over there, having fun, being playful and giving them the opportunity to try different art mediums,” said Anderson.
The program offers everything from ceramic classes, blacksmithing, pyrography, drumming and photography. Executive director of the Centre, Lianne Carter says the blacksmithing course is always a favourite of the residents.
“They…get to see something that goes from a hunk of metal that is junk, that you would think was junk and worthless – which is also what they are thinking in their mind about themselves – and you put this hunk of junk, worthless thing into fire,” explained Carter. “And it’s painful and uncomfortable but it changes form and you can make something beautiful of it.”
Carter said it’s very much a metaphor for the residents’ recovery journey.
The program is free to residents thanks to sponsors like the Dalglish Family Foundation and Skyline Group of Companies. The next session runs in the fall.
