By Conner Toffan

Art Therapist paints for Bread and Rose’s Gala

Mar 9, 2019 | 5:05 PM

Medicine Hat, AB– A local Art Therapist is looking to use her own art to make an impact on others.

Heidi Willmer, an Art Therapist at Keys to Hope, made a painting that will be auctioned off at the Bread and Roses Gala ran by the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter. For Heidi, the painting represents more than the money it will go for.

“The women who are at the women’s shelter are going through a moment that’s very full of change, and they’re going through a very crystallized experience,” said Willmer, “I think (the painting) just shows that domestic violence can impact anyone at anytime in their lives and that we need a community to rally behind them and support them.”

The painting has meaning for Willmer down to it’s colours. She says the amethyst and aquamarine portions are associated with healing.

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“My hope is that they’re going to see all of the different things that they’re going through with domestic violence, that they’ll see the struggle and they’ll also see the piece and tranquility that you can achieve.”

Right beside Willmer’s painting was a piece from a client who had been through a struggle with domestic violence.

The painting is split into three pieces, a rough, empty side, a bridge, and a hopeful garden.

Willmer believes it allowed the women to express “going from trauma to a place of hope and a place where they can find growth.”