UNIONVILLE, ON, MARCH 7TH, 2011: The art works of 15-year-old Emily Bigioni will be exhibited at the Varley Art Gallery from March 7th to March 13th. The opening reception, with special guests Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, is at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7th and welcomes the public.
Emily has a brain condition known as pachygyria, similar to cerebral palsy, which prevents her from speaking or walking. Emily has been painting for eight years, much of the time at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Centre for the Arts. Her parents, Sandra and Vito Bigioni, have raised over $980,000 to permanently secure the programs that have so benefitted Emily and many other children.
Emily’s dad, Vito, notes, “(At Holland Bloorview) there are countless opportunities for self-expression, creativity, connection, and spontaneity. She loves to paint, but she can also participate in other remarkable programs – like poetry, drumming, storytelling, clay, live percussion, music therapy, drama, woodwork, ceramics, and puppetry. Every single one of these programs allows her to grow artistically, socially, physically and mentally.”
“The Varley-McKay Art Foundation is pleased to bring Emily’s art to the Varley Art Gallery. Her accomplishments demonstrate how the creative life stimulates personal growth,” says Elizabeth Plashkes, Vice Chair of the Foundation.
“The Bigioni family knows firsthand, how important a place like Holland Bloorview is for children with disabilities. Emily loves to paint and has flourished in the art programs at Holland Bloorview,” stated Valerie McMurtry, President and CEO, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.
About Markham’s Varley Art Gallery:
The Varley Art Gallery of Markham features frequently changing exhibitions from the permanent collection of works by Fred Varley, founding member of the Group of Seven, as well as historical contemporary exhibitions drawn from local, national and international sources. Emily’s exhibition is a precursor to upcoming programs from the Varley Art Gallery that include a new initiative called Sensory Exploration in the Arts – Deaf Blind Programme and the Varley’s new Art Therapy classes for children with Autism Spectrum. For more information on the Varley Art Gallery and the Varley-McKay Art Foundation, please visit: www.visitthevarley.com
About Holland Bloorview:
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation raises funds in the community for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Holland Bloorview is Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital. It pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life. For more information, please visit: www.hollandbloorviewfoundation.ca
Contact Event:
Mary Pan, Event Co-Chair
mary.pan at sympatico dot ca
(647) 868-6989
Contact Varley McKay Art Foundation:
Francesca Dauphinais, Development Officer
fdauphinais at markham dot ca
(905) 477-9511 ext. 224
Contact Holland Bloorview:
Nicole Watson, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
nwatson at hollandbloorview dot ca
(416) 424-3850
Learn more about how to donate.
