Photo courtesy of Kinsey @ Stock.Xchng

Happy New Year! Bonne Année!

Back at the office, and staff are trickling back in, coming in from Virginia, Markham, New York and Toronto. Some are refreshed, while some worked right through the holidays and could use a break. Coffee’s on, fingers dance across keyboards and computers are humming.

Trying to remember where we left off, going forward as per ArtBridges/ToileDesArts’ strategic plan, stories interjected into the work day about a hike in the mountains, the snowy day in Ottawa, the birth of a cousin on New Year’s Eve, the visit of a mother from Sudbury, two relative’s marriage break-ups, the Trinidadian holiday party, the crab cakes, the turkey…and back to the strategic plan and then back again to more stories. So nice when people trickle back into the office and into the new year.

For this first post of the year, I’d like to pay tribute to my friend Tim, whose birthday is today. He works tirelessly at an inner-city community arts centre in Toronto where he has worked for 18 years, most of the time on his own time. He is a local hero because he simply doesn’t give up, he is quietly dependable and continues to keep the doors to this community arts centre open, when no one else can; even when the forecast is dim, even when there are no funds coming in, even when things seem really hard.

On Christmas day, as everyday, he came into ArtHeart, donned an apron, and set to work delegating volunteers, mentoring a student, and preparing and serving a feast for 35 program participants that are homeless, have nowhere to go for Christmas, or who just love to come to ArtHeart! He gave out fleece scarves, set up art supplies, put on the coffee, and was at the door to greet the donor who brought the potatoes and the woman whose secretary pre-planned her volunteer time. On behalf of all the people you make art-making a possibility for: Tim, Happy Birthday!

And…Happy New Year to all of you! our readers and contributors; we hope to continue to hear your stories, ideas and important things to share as you trickle back into offices, studios and communities across the country. Before you get too caught up in goals, strategic plans and New Year’s resolutions, please write, call, say hello and stay in touch!

Yours,
All of us at the ArtBridges/ToileDesArts office