The contribution art makes to the health of people and society will be explored during HealthArts Cafe Scientifique at Two Rivers Gallery on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The event will connect creative arts, health and indigenous perspectives during a panel discussion. Six health professionals and arts practitioners will share their unique experiences.
On the panel are: Dr. Terri Aldred, a family physician from the Tl'Azt'En nation; Mo Hamilton, art heals practitioner and artist; Jane Inyalli, counselor, poet and member of Tsek'ehne Nation; Keith Kerrigan, artist of the Haida Nation; Jennifer Annais Pighin, artist, Lheidli T'enneh Nation; and Lisa Striegler, UNBC masters degree candidate in community health sciences.
Moderating the event is UNBC professor Sarah de Leeuw.
"Each of the panel members has experience with art making," said Cat Sivertsen, research associate with the Health Arts Research Centre. "People think of art as fine art that belongs in a gallery. And people talk about art as social work. For me, personally, they are one in the same. For example, take a profound piece of art work from Vincent Van Gogh. He did that because he was obsessed and it made him feel good, so is that fine art or is that social work?"
This discussion will centre on bringing the arts back into the community, Sivertsen added.
The Health Arts Research Centre has received a grant for an eight-year project. The centre is entering its second year in the project where the focus is placed on developing relationships and methodologies and to contribute to renewing health and well being in northern and First Nations communities by addressing health inequities.
HealthArts Cafe Scientifique is free but seats are limited. For more information go to the Research Centre's website at www.healtharts.ca or call 250-960-6705.
