Kids at Ranch Ehrlo are giving a gift from the heart.
The annual Art from the Heart calendars are hot off the press, just in time for the New Year.
Former cultural coordinator Al Dufour realized the great artistic talent the kids at Ranch Ehrlo possessed and conceptualized the Art from the Heart project in 2005.The Art from the Heart calendars feature original artwork by Ranch youth from across the province.
“From there it just grew,” said Hayley Maurer, project coordinator and Schaller School principal.
Approximately 1,000 calendars are printed each year and distributed to Ranch youth, staff, board members, and partnering agencies. The calendars are often use as public relation pieces, but are absolutely not used as a fundraising initiative.
“Geoff (Pawson) was really, really adamant that this was not a money-making project,” Hailey explained. “Theoretically we could sell these calendars to recoup some of the
cost of making them, but Geoff was very adamant that he did not want it to be a fundraiser, so we’ve honoured that wish.”
Each year, an annual contest is held in recruitment for 14 pieces of calendar art created by any youth from Ranch Ehrlo. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 31 each year, when a panel of judges selects the successful entries.
Hayley said the response from the youth is terrific year-after-year, with an average of 50 submissions coming in annually.
“The kids are very, very talented and this gives them a chance to showcase some of their talents,” she said. “If they win, sometimes they’re really shy, but inside they feel good about themselves.”
The students said they felt amazing when they found out their artwork was selected for the calendar.
“It felt awesome,” said Miss May. “I was really proud of myself.”
Each year, the youth are celebrated with an Art from the Heart reception held at Schaller School. The event is a formal unveiling of the calendar and an opportunity to showcase the students’ work. Guests are invited to browse the winning artwork and all submissions, and have the opportunity to get autographs from the youth.
“We make it a big deal because the kids love to show off,” said Hayley. “For the kids that win, that are in the calendar, it’s a huge self-esteem boost; they have an opportunity to be really special for a day.”
“The kids that have been in the calendar before, and are still here at the Ranch, know what a big deal it is to be in the calendar.”
