Friendship through art

It all started about four years ago when Bignell, a 55-year-old Dorval resident, was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Symptoms of the disease, more commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, include extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and memory and concentration problems.

“Since it hit me, I’ve been housebound, completely unable, most of the time, to get out of bed. And there’s terrible pain all the time,’ said Bignell, who used to be a special education teacher in Côte St. Luc.

Looking for someone to help her with paperwork, Bignell turned to the West Island Citizen Advocacy (WICA), an organization that matches people who need help, or protégés, with volunteers, or advocates. After a year without a response to her ad, Bignell received a call from WICA to let her know they had found a “perfect match” — but not for the paperwork.

Beaconsfield resident Clamen, who is a folk singer and pastel artist, had been looking for a good way to volunteer her time. Her doctor suggested she look into WICA, which has a protégé-advocate art program.

“So, that’s how I met Mary Lyne, and we get along famously,” Bignell said.

“I just find it interesting that we’d be brought together,” Clamen said, adding that, although the two did not previously know each other, they had gone to university at the same time, and had many of the same tastes in music and art. “It was serendipity, I guess.”

Since December, the two have produced numerous pieces of art, moving from pastels to watercolours, gouache, and acrylics.

Bignell, who loves to paint faces and figures, is one of 30 protégés who will be showing their work at the fifth annual Rendez-Vous Arts this Sunday at the Surrey Aquatic and Community Centre in Dorval. All of the art and literature that will be on display has been created by talented challenged people, supported by their local artist advocates.

According to WICA director Mary Clare Tanguay, the Sisters of Ste. Anne donate money for the exhibit, as well as for supplies for the protégé-advocate art program.

“A lot of the people are on welfare and can’t afford paint and the other supplies,” she said. “It (the support) really allows them to have this wonderful hobby.”

While many of the artists do not have years of experience, Tanguay said the artwork they produce is stunning.

“I’ve really seen the paintings evolve over the years,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll get a good crowd.”

The WICA Rendez-Vous Arts exhibition and sale takes place this Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Surrey Aquatic and Community Centre, 1945 Parkfield Ave. in Dorval. All proceeds raised from art sales will go directly to the artists. For more information, call WICA at 514-694-5850 or 514-631-9151.