CKWS News- Wall of Courage comes to Kingston and the Bader Centre

A Kingston artist is bringing her latest creation home. Heather Haynes and her “Wall of Courage” will be open to the public beginning next week. Mike Postovit was there when the exhibition went-up.

Heather Haynes/Kingston Artist

“Courage for me is facing the things that scare you or make you feel uncomfortable but walking forward — in to it.”

Dozens of canvases — make-up the “Wall of Courage”. At this point — they are pieces in a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Haynes

This is exciting because it feels like a real installation space that you could — the proportions are perfect for the wall.”

Reporter

Haynes says this particular gallery at the Bader Centre is a perfect venue to showcase her work. Each of the 80 canvasses depict orphaned African children who lost their parents during a bloody civil war in the Congo. It took the artist 3 years – to bring this project together — including regular trips to Africa.

Haynes

“I’m honouring the kids and the women — and the people in the Congo with the word courage for just existing — just for waking-up everyday and moving forward and then having the beauty and the soul to be happy — find happiness. That i think takes a lot of courage.”

Reporter

For Haynes and others — this is truly has been a labour of love.

Haynes

“We have sponsors for all of these children and we built a home for them — we now have 120 children but i’m not painting all of them. A women’s training centre has evolved from the home and the children’s support so that’s a women’s training centre and 68 women have been helped so far, an agriculture project — and we just built a school.”

The wall will be open to the public beginning on November 14th — providing viewers with a thought provoking look at the courage of others. Mike Postovit CKWS News, Kingston