A week of arts and culture sessions are being oriented to Grade 9 to 12 students in Jasper.

Beading, felting, drumming, live music, pottery and more will make up a week of wellness workshops, dubbed Youth Art Hope (YAH), May 2-9. 

The idea for the sessions began with conversations with the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre, said local arts promoter Marianne Garrah. A gap in community arts program for youth was identified; YAH is one way to help fill that need.

“There’s still a lot of ongoing uncertainty in Jasper,” said Marianne Garrah with Jasper Community Habitat for the Arts. “We wanted to make sure youth were able to have their own conversations and not feeling left out.”

Since the July 2024 wildfire, as the community has navigated a long and complex rebuilding process, arts-based programming has played an important role in supporting community wellness, connection, and recovery, Garrah said, noting that a meaningful portion of community support funding has manifested into arts-related activities.

“We have witnessed firsthand how investment in arts and culture contributes not only to economic vitality, but also to the wellbeing and resilience of residents, particularly during periods of disruption and recovery,” Garrah wrote to the Canadian Arts Coalition recently. 

Pottery instructor Kayla Lanigan said for her, pottery is a way to release negative emotions.

“There’s a lot of patience involved with pottery and every movement is slow. It gives me a chance to slow down and take a breath,” Lanigan said.

Now, with support from the Red Cross and the Rotary Club, funding has been allocated for the Youth Art Hope sessions. There are no cost for the workshops, but organizers of the Youth Art Hope (YAH) week are asking teens to register so facilitators can bring enough materials. 

To register, email habitatforthearts@gmail.com or visit the Jasper Community Habitat for the Arts Facebook page and follow the links. 

Jasper Local staff // bob@thejasperlocal.com