Teens at Camp Good Times
Transform Giant Canvases into Works of Art
Guest contribution by James Picard and Chris Bennet
On Canada Day, July 1st, internationally recognized Vancouver artist James Picard, along with a small band of volunteers including Andrea Taylor and Frances Tieulie, set up six 5' x 5' canvases along with loads of paint and paint brushes in a field on the upper level of Camp GoodTimes Cancer Camp overlooking the serene setting of Loon Lake in Maple Ridge, BC.
As the day progressed 50 teenagers made their way into the makeshift outdoor studio and, after forming into groups, sketched and created six collaborative theme based large-scale paintings. The teens worked on a variety of themes from earth and sky to memories and thoughts, while volunteers were running frantically for more water, paints and brushes for the frenzied talented teen artists.
And, just like last year, as the sun was setting, spotlights were set up so the painting could continue into the night.
James Picard has been teaching children and teens how to paint for over a decade. From youth at risk in Harlem, New York to sick and underprivileged children across British Columbia, James has brought creativity to those who need it most.
With the help from Opus Framing & Art Supplies and a number of other sponsors who generously donated supplies for the camp GoodTimes workshop, James, along with the help of several volunteers helped the Camp Good Times Teens bring out their creative inner artist with a day of sketching and collaborative painting that once again surpassed all expectations that the workshop held.
"The finished paintings were amazing and the co-operation and enthusiasm of the teens, not to mention the talent, was simply astounding", said Picard, "It was a wonderful and magical creative collaboration and something I feel very special to be a part of."
The Teen program (ages 15 to 18) is in its second year at Camp Good Times and was, yet again, a resounding success and a good time was had by all. Camp Good Times was established by the Canadian Cancer Society in 1985 and provides, at no cost to the family, a safe, happy and challenging camping experience for children aged 6 to 18 who have been affected by cancer.
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