A teenager swishes a cardboard sword, bellowing an ebullient shout while slaying an imaginary adversary. In the background, Meghan Schuurman, studio coordinator of RE-create Outreach Art Studio, encourages youth to thread their books as bookbinding artist Danica Drago demonstrates. Founded in 2003 by arts therapist Betty Brouwer, the not-for-profit art studio, an affiliate of the Shalem Health Network, encourages at-risk street-involved youth ages 16 to 24 to use art as a creative outlet. The program, which receives funding from World Vision Canada, operates a drop-in schedule out of Art Forms Youth Art Studio on James Street North.
“We seek to provide a positive and non-judgmental space where at-risk street-involved youth and youth artists can express themselves through art and discover new possibilities by connecting to community and accessing resources they require,” Meghan says. Offering quality artistic instruction by Harold Sikkema, Scott Aasman, Kari-Anne Kooy, Andrea Manica and others in artistic mediums from printmaking to buttonmaking and more, the program is appreciative of any monetary or product donations the community provides.
