“There is nothing more gratifying than experiencing the innocent smiles, the sheer joy and the incredible pride the children radiate while they express themselves so honestly through their art”. These are the words of, artist Tiffany Joy Villahermosa sharing the rewards of her involvement through various art projects, with Arts for Children and Youth (AFCY).
AFCY is an organization that provides unique, hands-on arts programming for children and youth from underserved communities, through inner-city schools, community centers, hospitals, and Toronto Community Housing buildings.
Earlier last year, Villahermosa led an art program called the “My Identity Memory Box Project” at the O’Connor Community Centre, in Toronto. The children painted their own memory boxes, with images on the interior and exterior, symbolizing what makes them who they are. They visually expressed cultural traditions, “favorite things”, accomplishments and symbols of those who are most valuable in their lives.
“The more we share, the more we understand one other, therefore building a respectful relationship, which I feel is so crucial in our culturally rich and diverse community,” Villahermosa believes. “It was a wonderful dialogue of shared expressions of themselves, reinforcing their self-confidence. This project was successful in celebrating their culturally diverse experiences, fostering a positive means of constructing a healthy self-image.”
During the Labor Day, long weekend last year, she showcased her new series of acrylic paintings at, “The Artisans at the Distillery” show, at the Distillery District. The designs of Villahermosa’s, 2008 series are, “WORDS THAT COME ALIVE!” The painfully, sharp edged lines, the soft flowing compositions are in fact, letters of words that express the impediments of life as well as the beautiful catalysts of her life.” Jagged and gritty textures on the paintings’ surface parallel her piercing words on her work. Viewers appreciated the beautiful designs and were fascinated with unraveling the words that lay within.
Tiffany also commits her time working for Visual Arts Ontario. VAO is Canada’s largest and most active association of working artists and arts professionals that provides career management and skills development services to artists of all career levels.
VAO have been integral to the success of thousands of visual artists across Ontario. She says, “A career in the arts certainly has its own challenges and I find it rewarding to help other artists through their own creative journeys.”
2008 has certainly proven to be another successful and fulfilling year for Tiffany Joy Villahermosa’s art as well as her commitment to helping others through art. You may view her portfolio and read of upcoming art exhibitions and projects by clicking to her blog.
- Sent from Toronto by Jojo Taduran via e-mail
