CMHA Huron Perth collecting youth artwork for Portraits of a Hate Free Huron Perth

Young artists can create pieces to showcase what Huron and Perth counties look like without hate and discrimination.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Huron Perth is running Portraits of a Hate-Free Huron Perth youth art installation. The organization is collecting art pieces that either represent the diversity of Huron-Perth, healing from hate as a community or stopping the growth of hate.

“Rural Ontario is often known for its close-knit communities, its small-town familiarity and friendliness. Unfortunately, this is often not the experience of marginalized populations. Incidents of hate and intolerance are increasing across both counties, particularly against newcomers, visible minorities and the 2SLGBTQIA community,” Sara McIntyre-Roy, CMHA Huron Perth’s anti-hate program educator, said to the Times. “It's important that we take both preventative and responsive action and equip our youth with the knowledge and skills to stand up for themselves and their peers.”

The youth art installation was a popular suggestion among the counties’ young people who were involved in student focus groups earlier this year.

“Many youth expressed a desire to contribute to anti-hate efforts, but most didn't feel comfortable engaging in activities like public speaking,” McIntyre-Roy said. “Art has always been a powerful form of personal expression, while allowing the individual as much or as little anonymity as they prefer.”

So far, there have been about four submissions sent to the Portraits of a Hate Free Huron-Perth, but McIntyre-Roy would like to see at least 20. To participate, youth and their caregivers can reach out to CMHA Huron Perth and then they will be provided with art kits and supplies for their work. Any submitted art pieces, using the supplied art materials or their own, will be collected until Nov. 27 and will be featured in a gallery at the Stratford Public Library.

Anyone with questions about registration can contact McIntyre-Roy at sara.mcintyre@cmhahuronperth.com.