Jossalyn McConnell checks out some of the art on display at Medicine Hat College for the ÒStrong HeartsÓ art exhibit that will be on display until Thursday. The exhibit is a partnership between McMan Colour Me Free and the Medicine Hat Womens Shelter Society, and features work by local LGBTQ2S+ youth on what a healthy relationship means to them.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker
The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society and McMan Colour Me Free teamed up this week to put on a unique art display at Medicine Hat College.
The display featured a number of pieces created by LGBTQ2S+ children in the community and the art reflects how the kids view healthy relationships.
“Part of what the women’s shelter wants to accomplish is educating youth on family violence and healthy relationships — hopefully that can help prevent family violence,” said community education and awareness co-ordinator Peggy Revell. “We wanted to work with some LGBTQ2S+ groups in the community to work with kids and we quickly learned that just talking to kids and lecturing to them just isn’t as effective as getting them involved.
“With them creating the gallery it really helps them get the conversation going and really helps them internalize everything.”
The gallery is being taken down today, but Revell says the kids had free reign to create whatever they thought was appropriate.
“We wanted to get their thoughts, ideas and struggles — everything into this art,” she said. “There’s so many creative, wonderful kids in these groups so we hope this really encouraged them to think about these things.”