FLAME (2009)

FLAME was an exhibition and residency project curated by Nicola Harwood for Oxygen Art Centre.  FLAME paired six professional visual artists, four art therapy students and an art therapy instructor from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute with nine social service agencies in an arts-based process of altar creation. Artists worked with volunteers, staff and clients of ANKORS, the local AIDS and HIV service centre, Nelson Hospice, Kootenay Kids: Family Place, Stepping Stones Emergency Shelter, Bigby Place for Adults with Developmental Challenges, Nelson Community Services, The Clubhouse – a drop in centre for people with mental illness - and the Nelson Women’s Centre. The altar installations were created at the agency sites by clients, staff and volunteers and then installed for a three week exhibition at Oxygen Art Centre. Public programming accompanying the exhibition included an artist and participant panel discussion, a series of lantern workshops, a Solstice lantern parade and community dance.