Volunteer for Artswell
See what a difference the arts can make in people’s lives. Become a valued member of a friendly, caring non profit organization.
Artswell is currently looking for volunteers to help out with its current programs. Some of these are located at:
- Ottawa Grace Manor (1156 Wellington Street)
Once a month, Wednesday afternoons
- St. Patrick’s Home (2865 Riverside Drive)
Once a month, Wednesday mornings
- Granite Ridge Specialty Care (Abbot Street, Stittsville)
Every week, Monday mornings
- Ottawa Salus (1,000 Scott Street, Ottawa)
Friday mornings
Other opportunities are also available. Please contact our office for more details.
Featured Volunteer
Elizabeth Lamarche
Art is a door to learning other things – no matter what your age or condition.
Artswell volunteer Elizabeth Lamarche enjoys opening doors for people. As a volunteer in Africa teaching math to children, she used art as a way of making math fun and interesting for her pupils. Now Elizabeth uses this knowledge as a volunteer for Artswell to help people living with dementia and mental health challenges open doors to their own ability to create. She works under the guidance of Artswell artists at Granite Ridge long-term care facility and at Salus community mental health services.
“I love the Artswell approach that respects persons and honours their dignity,”
she says. “Artswell helps people feel as healthy as they can, regardless of their circumstances. The smiles and the way people feel good about themselves when they create something are my greatest satisfactions.”
Elizabeth chose to become an Artswell volunteer because she wanted to do something hands-on. Other organizations had approached her to do administrative work, given her background in teaching and human resources, but she chose Artswell. “I like working directly with people and I feel appreciated by Artswell,”
she says. “Artswell cares about me as a volunteer and they are receptive to my ideas and encourage me to be part of the creative process.”
Elizabeth enjoys the new experience of working with the elderly and finds their life experience a source of discovery for her. She says that it is important to look beyond the physical signs of age and see the treasures inside the person. “It may be hard for a person to hold a brush but they do it. They experience the ability to choose and create. We help them to focus on what they have rather than what is lost.”