At FUSE Health, we pride ourselves on our complement of scientific expertise and creative talent. On January 29th, we let our artistic sides take charge for a good cause when we participated in a Paint Nite event in support of Boost for Kids.
Paint Nite is hosted across the country at local pubs and restaurants, where participants socialize and enjoy drinks as they’re guided step-by-step to create a painting. After a great meal at the Hot House in Toronto, we each donned a painting smock and took a place in front of a blank canvas with our paint supplies for the evening – four brushes, a cup of water, and a palette of red, blue, yellow, black, and white paints. After a few words about Boost for Kids from our talented instructors (who were also Boost for Kids staff), the art lesson got underway. Our assignment – a scene of three brightly coloured trees reflected in water. We were given free rein to follow the example as closely (or not) as we liked. Everyone started off a little timidly as we got the hang of mixing colours and took our first few hesitant strokes. After all, when you give 12 meticulous individuals a paint brush, you can expect a bit of self-criticism. But the atmosphere was so relaxing and non-judgmental that within only a few minutes, our inner artists were beginning to emerge. It was so wonderful to see each painting take shape, with each member of the FUSE Health team taking their own creative spin on the scene. The time flew by and after a couple of hours, a lot of laughs, and great tunes to paint to, we each had a masterpiece to bring home.
Boost for Kids is a Toronto-based charity committed to eliminating abuse and violence in the lives of children, youth, and their families. A portion of each ticket sold to join the Paint Nite event was donated to the organization, and our instructor generously donated her night’s pay and tips as well. When all was said and done, over $900 was raised, which will fund a 12-week art therapy group for teenage girls who have experienced abuse.
If you’ve never been to a Paint Nite, you should definitely check it out. Better yet, organize a Paint Nite fundraiser for a health-related non-profit organization that you’re passionate about. It’s a really fun and different way to spend an evening while giving back to a charity that’s important to you. Plus, you’ll probably mobilize a hidden artistic talent you never even knew you had.
Christina Taggart
Medical Communications Project Manager