Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

Who are the angels in your life? The upcoming interactive art exhibition and charity fundraising event, I See Angels, explores this theme through the eyes of five artists.

The event, which was conceptualised by mixed media artist Anika Plowden-Corentin, brings together five amazing artists: abstract artist Joy Luk Pat, abstract expressionist artist Leela Makha, photographer Nadine Eversley, coffee artist Neala Luna, and multimedia artist Wendy Perriera-Aqui.

Plowden-Corentin said the journey towards the event began when she was asked to facilitate an art session for some girls who “needed someone to talk to and who would listen to them. They wanted someone who could share their story, who they could learn from and show them a different way to express their feelings. I saw a rare opportunity present itself to not think about myself but how I can use my small gift to help others. I began volunteering at St. Jude’s Home for Girls and other schools where I facilitate an art and wellness session. I was deeply moved by how many family members, strangers and corporate citizens were willing to support the program and give of their self, skill and time.”

She said I See Angels was born as she watched the evolution of her community. “It became bigger than me and I saw angels, people who came together without expecting payment; those who just wanted to volunteer themselves and their treasures. Many gave freely, and this helped me to mirror the actions around me. From this simple experience I started to redefine my view of what an angel is. They’re the persons who allow you to cross a busy street, who listens to you when you weep, who hugs you, it’s that mentor who choose to use their life experiences to build you up. It’s that mother that juggles work, home, children, entrepreneurial pursuits yet still soars. It’s the person sitting next to you taking care of an ill family member or a victim who transcends from their dilemma to give back. I was inspired by the points of light I saw beaming from strangers, friends, family and sponsors who wanted to help bring the vision of art and wellness to an underserved group, young girls and women who are vulnerable/at risk.”

Plowden-Corentin said she also wanted to provide a creative forum where similarly minded artists interested in the theme could express their interpretation of angels. “We are all emerging artists, each presenting a different genre and interpretation of angels, which make the collective display of art reflective of the wider community. Another common thread was each artist believes in the importance of honouring their gift by giving back and using their individual craft in service to others. We all at some points produced work that explored the theme, of angels and we were all immersed in past and current life experiences where we identified with ease the encounters with angels.”

With a novel approach to shapes, textures and patterns, the artwork on display will be in the form of paintings, and mixed media crafts, created by artists. There is an interactive element to the “I See Angels” exhibition through which visitors can touch and engage with artwork, and even express the way they see angels in their lives through writing and drawing. It will culminate in a charity art session called “Paint & Inspire”, with proceeds going towards Elpis Centre – Solace House, the purchasing of art supplies and the continuation of Chosen Hands Art and Wellness program.

Plowden-Corentin said “the Elpis Centre is a pregnancy & family resource centre serving women, children and families since 2009. Its goal is to help children and families thrive. The housing unit, Solace House, is a facility dedicated to pregnant women who are displaced. We chose Elpis Centre because we believe women and children need optimal support to bring new life into this world, to heal from traumas of their past and to restore and rebuild their lives and that of their children. Chosen Hands Art and Wellness Program was chosen because it is an emerging creative program that uses art as one vehicle for personal development, healing and self-expression. It’s a network of mobile artists and professionals who actively choose to use their time, talent and treasure to create a safe space and positive shift in the minds of at-risk persons through the facilitation of motivational and painting sessions”

The I See Angels exhibition opens on April 23 at 6 pm at The Art Society of T&T, 3 – 7 St. Vincent Avenue, Federation Park. Paint and Inspire costs $250 and takes place on April 27 from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. For more information, find I See Angels Art Exhibition on Facebook.