AN ABORIGINAL CHILDREN’S HURT & HEALING INITIATIVE
October 12, 2017 to January 7, 2018
The Art From The Heart exhibition is an important aspect of The Aboriginal Children’s Hurt & Healing Initiative (ACHH), a Canadian Institute of Health Research funded enterprise lead by IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University and First Nation community leaders.
ACHH focuses on understanding the expression and experience of pain in Aboriginal communities because Aboriginal children have pain and hurt that is not always recognized and treated. Untreated pain can have a negative impact on children and youth’s well-being lingering into adulthood. Working together, First Nation communities, clinicians, artists, and researchers collaborated to better understand and alleviate this pain.
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia was invited to partner with ACHH to provide support and consultation for the art component of this research initiative. Artist Alan Syliboy facilitated the workshops for children and youth which resulted in the artworks now on view in the Art From The Heart exhibition.
Over many years, the Gallery has collaborated in various capacities with IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University and other community organizations recognizing the important connection between the arts and wellness. The relationship the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia has forged with ACHH further reinforces the value of working with partners to further the impact of promoting healthy communities.
The current showing of this exhibition is presented with the support of:
