Local artists will have a chance to leave their mark on Hintonburg’s Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) this summer.
Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) is one of a network of community health centres that provide community-based health and social services across Ontario. SWCHC is expanding its programs and services to open a new branch of the Centre in Hintonburg. The branch project involves the complete renovation of the existing building at 30 Rosemount Avenue. Renovations are in progress and the branch is scheduled to open in June of this year. The search is on to find local artwork to decorate the space.
SWCHC is seeking proposals from community artists and artist groups who live and/or work in the catchment area of the SWCHC to create and install artwork.
Several prominent interior locations in the building have been identified for wall-mounted artwork to be completed for the June opening: the main level, the upper level, and adjacent to the children’s program room and community room. Other calls for art will follow as time and resources permit.
This opportunity also invites community participation. Although artists are encouraged to come forward with their own proposals, one idea mentioned in the call involves the invitation and gathering of photo elements or multi-media art works from community members that tell stories of people and their neighbourhoods “in order to achieve a colourful, detailed and tactile installation.” The intent is to intrigue clients and visitors over multiple visits to the Centre.
“Artists contribute so much to our community,” says Anne Carlyle of Carlyle Design Associates, who is managing the call. “We want to celebrate their creativity and to have art be an integral part of the experience of clients and visitors coming to the centre – welcoming, intriguing and inspiring conversations.”
Executive Director of SWCHC Jack McCarthy says: “Engaging the very active local arts community in this exciting SWCHC expansion project just solidifies the deep roots we have in the community.
“Community Health Centres are all about providing quality services to the communities they serve and SWCHC is very fortunate to have a vibrant group of artists living and working in our catchment area. The arts have always been a part of healthy communities and we are proud to showcase the talent in our local neighbourhood.”
Rosemary Jones, the Resource Development Manager of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, says SWCHC is also currently involved in a capital fundraising campaign for the new Rosemount branch, which is expected to launch in the next few weeks. The goal is to raise $500,000.
“We’re excited about our new branch, and residents have already embraced it as a way of strengthening the neighbourhood in a practical, inclusive and ethical way,” says Jones.
SWCHC will be raising funds from now until June 2015 to “bring local healthcare to an already vibrant community and improve efficiency at our original branch,” says Jones.
“So much of everything we are doing with the Rosemount expansion is grounded in what local residents have told us they need and want to see in their neighbourhood. The residents of Hintonburg, Mechanicsville and Wellington West need better access to health care and SWCHC is committed to increasing that access.”
The deadline for art-related submissions is February 20 at 2:00 p.m. Questions are to be addressed in writing no later than February 13 and emailed to Anne Carlyle, of Carlyle Design at associatesanne@carlyledesign.ca.
More information about the call for art as well as the SWCHC is available online at www.swchc.on.ca. Artists are encouraged to check the website periodically for updates to information about this opportunity.