Ottawa Mission’s Expressive Arts Program Hosts Unique Exhibition of Artwork by Hospice Clients and Staff
Ottawa, ON –Today the Ottawa Mission is hosting a unique and poignant exhibition of artwork by clients and staff within its Hospice supported by its Expressive Arts Program, which focuses on the experiences, values and feelings of those who live and work within this special setting. These works are displayed in the shelter’s chapel, accompanied by Newfoundland musician and hospice client Peter Francis Quinlan and catered by Chef Ric’s, the Mission’s social enterprise.
At The Mission’s Hospice, homeless men and women receive 24-hour palliative nursing care and emotional and spiritual support in an atmosphere of compassion and dignity. This includes guidance for patients and their family and friends, and visits from volunteers and spiritual companions. This circle of care consists of a multidisciplinary model created and delivered by The Ottawa Mission and our partners at Ottawa Inner City Health (OICH) and Carefor. Since 2001, the Hospice has been a leader in palliative care by offering medical and psychosocial support tailored to each person’s needs, including mental health needs and addictions.
“The Expressive Arts Program supports Hospice clients to make and enjoy art on a regular basis,” noted Darlene Garner Kuehn, a registered psychotherapist and PhD in expressive arts therapy who leads this program. “The expressive arts are an effective practice for mental health and well-being since lived experience, emotion and identity are engaged with in a connection that often cannot be found in words.”
In program sessions Hospice clients gather to express themselves, sharing their feelings about grief, loss, and well-being in a safe environment. They tap into their creativity while engaging in healing discussions, with sessions organized around drawing, painting, decoupage, pottery, carving, music, and so much more. This program is funded by Ontario Health East to deliver grief and bereavement services to Hospice clients.
Several clients are represented in this show, including John, a trained artist who attended George Brown College. He regularly participates and encourages others to join as well. “This art group is amazing. I started painting as a form of rehabilitation for my hands to see if I could reteach myself how to use them. We have all the supplies here we need. It’s therapeutic, calming, and provides peace of mind. We experiment with different styles of painting, drawing, and creating here. There are some very talented artists and musicians out there experiencing homelessness. The hardest part, when they get down to rock-bottom, is they don’t remember their talents. And that’s exactly when they should be creating art: to help pick themselves up.”
The lone musician featured in the art exhibit, Peter Francis Quinlan received a surprise video shoutout from Alan Doyle, the frontman of the legendary Newfoundland and Canadian folk rock band. In the video played at the exhibition, Alan reflected on how hearing and seeing Peter’s music on Newfoundland TV back in the ‘80s helped inspire him to pursue his dreams as a musician. Peter then performed his Newfoundland hit ‘The Night The Ladies Dart League Had The Fight.’
A centrepiece of the exhibition entitled “Caring Hands” is two multimedia colleges which were created after Hospice clients and staff experienced the loss of many clients in rapid succession over several months in 2025. These pieces commemorate the loss of so many beloved clients within this short time. Clients and staff members were invited to trace their hands on watercolour paper, decorate these pieces, and then cut them out. Expressive Arts Program staff then assembled these handprints together on two canvases to represent moments of joy and the sorrow that are shared between those who are now gone and those who remain.
“This beautiful program is essential to the health and well-being of our clients and those who care for them. This circle of care, compassion and community based on mutual respect is nourishing to both those who receive support as well as those who provide it,” concluded Lynn Landis, Director of Health Services for The Ottawa Mission.
About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving the homeless, the hungry and the lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2024-2025, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night and served an average of 3,312 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C 613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com