‘The strength of my voice has returned’: Healing through art and community
Aysa's story is a testament to her resiliency, and the power of creativity and giving back.
Struggling after her Mom’s passing, Aysa connected with Trellis Society and Erin, one of our clinical therapists. As she healed, Aysa began to think about how she could give back to Trellis through her passion for building community.
Even as a child, Aysa felt drawn to giving back. Her grandmother was a baker, and Aysa regularly accompanied her to their stand at the Kingsland Market. As her grandmother sold baked goods and connected with market shoppers, Aysa sold her artwork so she could donate proceeds to charity.
Her grandparents are also great friends of the folks at the Ironwood Stage and Grill and would take Aysa to events so she could experience music, art, fundraising and community building in action.
As she was on her path of growth and healing, Aysa reached out to the Ironwood in 2022 with an idea.
Her vision was to create a unique fundraiser for Trellis’ mental health and clinical supports while showcasing young musicians and artists. After a successful event in 2022, Aysa was inspired to make it an annual celebration and fundraiser.
This past August, the Youth Art Showcase saw 20 acts take the stage, highlighting live music, theatre performances, and visual art from Calgary-based creatives ages 12-25.
Beyond an afternoon of entertainment and the opportunity for Aysa’s artistic friends and peers to take the stage, the event raised $1,600 for Trellis Society, which was matched by TC Energy for a total of $3,200.
These funds provide young people like Aysa with the support they need to heal, grow, and flourish.
“I really needed to do this. The inspiration was growing over my lifetime, and now I want to bring recognition to an organization that impacted my life. The strength of my voice has returned.”
Aysa’s enthusiasm is contagious. Her plans are underway for next year, and she’s keen to build on the success of 2023’s event with more artists to showcase and a growing community of attendees to bring awareness and funding to the mental wellness work at Trellis.
“Aysa is phenomenal and has a huge heart,” says Erin.
“I saw it at work with the volunteers who were working so hard for her. She is an incredible force. One person was so nervous to perform, but Aysa helped them to feel safe and they had a beautiful performance.”
When she’s not organizing the Youth Art Showcase, Aysa is continuing her education at Bow Valley College studying Criminal Justice, where she thoroughly enjoys courses in trauma-informed practice, mental health issues, Indigenous studies and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). Through these courses, she sees how treating people with respect can change the narrative. Ahead, she aims to head to the University of Lethbridge
The future is bright for Aysa. Her creative brain and generous heart will serve her well, and create a ripple effect of change in our city. We’re grateful to walk with her and will continue to be there for her as she grows and thrives.
Follow Aysa’s event on Instagram @youthsartshowyyc and we’ll see you there in the summer of 2024!
