Paintings created through teamwork
Special to The B.C. Catholic
There is a big smile on Garth Prothero’s face as he dabs his paintbrush into the blue on his pallet and makes broad strokes on the canvas.
He hopes everyone will come and see his painting. He knows if they come they won’t be able to miss it; it’s the one with lots of blue. Blue is Prothero’s favourite colour.
Painting gives Prothero an opportunity to express himself with grace and ease; he has much to offer, and his art provides him with a unique opportunity.
He and Brett Klippenstein, one of L’Arche’s newest assistants, have been working on this piece of art together since early February. Klippenstein, who hails from Winnipeg, is grateful for the warmer climate in Burnaby. The two are housemates at Bethel House, one of six homes established by L’Arche in Burnaby.
Their painting is one of a collection created for L’Arche’s “Art Together” show, to open April 22 at the Shadbolt Centre in Burnaby. Each painting is a collaborative work created by people with and without developmental disabilities from the L’Arche Greater Vancouver community.
There will be 17 groups of artists participating in this year’s show. Each painting will come with the artists’ statement that describes the inspiration for their work. The original paintings will be available for sale, as well as prints and art cards of each work. The theme for the show is “To Build.”
The first venue for the show will be the Shadbolt Centre, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby, April 22, 6-9 p.m. It will be followed by another show at Park Place, 666 Burrard St., Vancouver, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily June 9-23. Admission will be free to both events.
