(L-R) Sophia Suderman - Abbotsford Arts Council, David Turchen - Abbotsford Hospice Society, Mayor Henry Braun, Laura Schneider - The Reach Gallery Museum
(L-R) Sophia Suderman – Abbotsford Arts Council, David Turchen – Abbotsford Hospice Society, Mayor Henry Braun, Laura Schneider – The Reach Gallery Museum

A new partnership has been announced between the Abbotsford Hospice Society, The Reach Gallery Museum and the Abbotsford Arts Council. It’s a program called “Oxygen for the Soul”, which will see paintings from local artists used to hide the oxygen equipment in the rooms and provide a more home like setting for people receiving end of life care. David Turchen with the hospice society says it’s an idea that makes a lot of sense.

“Art is something that can be very emotional, but in a positive way.  Here, there are a lot of difficult situations with patients and families that are going through a very challenging time, and art can be very soothing.”

Sophia Suderman with the Arts Council says the idea received huge support among the local arts community.

“Art is an expression, and it’s a powerful expression to be able to have in a place like this…it’s a very intimate place for their art to be.”

70 artists applied, and 37 were chosen to have their work be a part of this project.  There are 10 beds at the facility and

The pieces will be on display at the Reach and the Kariton gallery from the 18th of this month until March 13th.  They’ll be auctioned off at a fundraiser at the Reach on March 17th at 6pm, and then donated…essentially you buy a work of art, which will be displayed in one of the rooms.  The donor’s name and the artist’s name will be attached.  The $13.3 million Holmberg House, located at the Campus of Care, is set to be completed by the end of next month.

holmberghouse2