Please join us for the final event of the Lecture Series on Representations of Disability in Historical, Scientific, and Artistic Perspectives, with artists Gordon Mills (The Angel’s Loft, L’Arche Cape Breton), and Kelly Farrell, Megan Maginley, and Lisa Leuschner (Hearts & Hands, L’Arche Antigonish). The artists will present their work and engage the audience in their creative process. The event will include a tour of the artworks by the artists from L’Arche Cape Breton, L’Arche Saint John, and L’Arche Antigonish, currently on display at the University of King’s College.
A festive reception will follow. Copies of artist Megan Maginley’s book The Ballerina Boy, artworks by Gordon Mills and other artists will be available for purchase during the event. All are welcome!
Low sensitivity rooms will be available. For more information, please contact michelle.mahoney@ukings.ca, glowacka@dal.ca or susan.dodd@ukings.ca.
Participating artists
L’Arche Cape Breton is a rural community of people with and without intellectual disabilities valuing a simple life, authentic relationships and solidarity.
Gordon Mills, 35, grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia and remains close to his parents, Stephen and Norma Mills, and his sisters Alice and Karen. He has an especially soft spot for his nephew Isaac. Mills moved to the community of L’Arche Cape Breton in 2011 and works at The Angel’s Loft, where he explores his artistic side. Mills enjoys quoting from favourite stories and movies, such as Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and DC and Marvel movies.
L’Arche Antigonish, Hearts and Hands encompasses all the ways we, at L’Arche Antigonish, use art to build community, promote and discover our creative potential, while inviting others in the wider community to do this with us.
Kelly Farrell
“I love painting and taking photos with my camera. I paint what I see. Places I have been or things I have done, what makes me happy or laugh or things I hope to see. I love hot weather. I love Florida and palm trees. I love painting houses, especially all the homes in L’Arche Antigonish. I love showing my paintings to everyone, especially family and friends.”
Megan Maginley
“My name is Megan Maginley. I have Autism. I love to draw, paint and make puppets. I’m trying my hand at sculpting as well. I try to create art that is a celebration of our differences and accept people for who they are. It’s a beautiful thing to be different.”
Lisa Leuschner
“I like to dance, drum, weave and paint.
I like it. I’m happy when I paint.
I think of water and waves when I paint.
It feels good that people see my art.”
Banner artwork: Kelly Farrell, Portrait. L’Arche Antigonish
This event has been made possible by a generous gift from Air Canada.
