Association Garagona

Français	Mission	Arts	Camp	Respite Care

E-mail : campgaragona@citenet.net

Lodging	Jobs	Contact Us	Donations

Phone : (450) 298-5159 Fax : (450) 298-5554

	:: THE ARTS ::
	Notre Our camp stands out by the quality of its plastic arts program. The objectives of the camp’s workshops are to foster self-realization, personal growth, and most of all, self-enrichment. No one has to win here, since taking part is an accomplishment in itself.						Here, the campers discover a new way to express themselves and a unique opportunity to create without being submitted to the judgment of others. This artistic approach makes us pioneers since we are the only camp for the mentally disabled that specializes in the arts.

Our users have always been limited by their difficulty to communicate and are confronted to constant obstacles and prejudices. Notwithstanding their differences in age, background, and handicaps, they are all facing these same challenges. The art workshops enable them to express themselves and communicate in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere, to attain self-realization through the respect of their work and that of others when participating in collective work. They are permitted to explore and imagine, to touch, sense, and experience. They are valued through the accomplishment of their works, signing them, and exhibiting them without having to compete against each other. And they are made aware that their work becomes eternal and will survive through time.

For many years now, the camp has put forward the exceptional talents of its campers by exhibiting their work at the Festiv’Art and in local libraries and cultural centers. The art is also reproduced on bookmarks and greeting cards that we put up for sale. The Garagona Association won the “Distinction 2004” award for our participation in the traveling exhibit “Passep’Art”, put together by the Canadian government to promote awareness among civil servants of employees living with a handicap. In 2006, the camp plans to open an art gallery where the work of our campers will exhibited on a permanent basis. This gallery will enable the local community to become better acquainted with the camp, its users and their art.

There lies our second objective: foster awareness of our users among the population. Art has this unique quality to be able to reach everyone’s heart, breaking down barriers. The art exhibits and the sale of greeting cards attract people who, without knowing our users, let themselves be touched by the beauty of the colours, the compositions of these works of art, and the incredible talent of these true artists.

Our innovative program, both therapeutic and amusing, has been creating happy campers since its beginning. We believe that art is the best way to establish a relationship with our campers and enable them to express themselves and make their real nature known to all. We are convinced our workshops have an impact on the most profound human needs: self-esteem and self-fulfilment. If we can’t have an impact on the everyday life of our campers, we certainly hope to make a difference in the short periods they spend with us and see them go back home armed with better tools and a greater sense of achievement.