Westman Youth for Christ (YFC) is calling for more artists to participate in its 4th Annual Art Show & Sale, scheduled for June 18th and 19th at the Ukrainian National Hall in Brandon, Manitoba. The event, which also serves as a fundraiser, features a theme of 'What is Beauty? Finding Joy in the world around us' and accepts both flat-art and 3D works. Artists may sell their pieces with a 30% commission going to Westman YFC, and donors can receive a tax receipt for the remaining 70% if donated to the art program. Dawn Redlin, Creative Journeys Program Director, oversees three therapeutic art programs—Create (Tuesday nights), a Monday afternoon directed art group, and one-on-one therapeutic art coaching—that serve up to 50 young people annually, many facing addiction, mental health, or homelessness issues.
This story matters because it highlights how community-based art initiatives provide vital therapeutic outlets for vulnerable youth, using creative expression to help them process trauma and emotions without relying on words. The annual art show not only raises funds to sustain these free programs but also invites broad community participation, reinforcing the role of art as a tool for healing and social connection in smaller urban centers like Brandon. It underscores the intersection of art, mental health support, and grassroots fundraising in local communities.