Art for Healing Foundation visits Portage’s Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers Program

Montréal, February 2, 2010 – On January 27th the residents and staff of Portage’s Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (MICA) program were given a presentation by Peter Krausz. The artist presented his painting, entitled “No Man’s Land”, which he donated through the Art for Healing Foundation. The painting now hangs in the residents’ meeting room.

Mr. Krausz gave the residents a slideshow presentation about his painting and then led them through an artistic workshop. “We’re very pleased about the affiliation between Portage and the Art for Healing Foundation,” expressed MICA Director Antonio Maturo following the event.  “It’s a great way to expose our residents to the arts and to give them the tools to develop and nurture their artistic skills. The drawings created here today by MICA residents are brimming with enthusiasm.  We’re looking forward to putting them on display throughout the centre.”

Portage was honoured to have such a renowned artist as Mr. Krausz as the animator of this workshop. His work has been showcased in more than thirty collections in Canada, New York, Los Angeles, and France. He was the Director of the Saydie Bronfman Centre for the Arts in Montréal for ten years and has been a professor of art at the Université de Montréal for 18 years. He has also taught at Concordia University.

The Art for Healing Foundation is dedicated to sharing the healing power of art and art education in hospitals, long-term residential health care centres, and shelters. Its co-founders, Earl Pinchuck and Gary Blair, coordinate the artists who wish to donate their work and the non-profit health service organizations.

“The tremendous response by our residents to Mr. Krausz’s workshop demonstrates the therapeutic benefits of art in the rehabilitation process,” said Peter Vamos, Executive Director of Portage. “We hope that this presentation by the Art for Healing Foundation at the MICA centre will be the first of many at Portage centres across Canada.”

About Portage

Portage is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people suffering from substance abuse-related problems to overcome their dependencies and to live healthy, happy and productive lives. Portage is a major rehabilitation program in Canada, with services in Québec, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia. Through therapeutic community best practices, Portage helps residents develop their self-esteem, confidence, and the competencies necessary to overcome addiction.

   
From left to right:�Art for Healing Foundation co-founder Earl Pinchuk; the artist, Peter Krausz;  Directeur of the MICA program, Antonio Maturo; and Genviève Sarda, Advisor of Social and Cultural Activities at Portage.