Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) is set to host its 2nd Art Exhibition, Competition, and Auction on October 27, 2023, in remembrance of the late Malcolm Rae, coinciding with World Occupational Therapy Day.
The concept for this exhibition originated with Mr. Rae, who dedicated his Tuesdays to teaching the fundamentals of painting to participants in the Sandilands Art Programme. Mr. Rae also organized a modest in-house exhibition around the Geriatric Hospital Circle, showcasing the artistic talents of clients involved in the Creative Recovery Program. The Art Programme at Sandilands continues to bring positive transformations to the lives of its clients, with continued support from Mr. Rae’s family, who consistently attend these events.
The Sandilands Family expressed their condolences to Mr. Rae’s family and friends upon his passing, and they reached out to the community for volunteers to assist in the Art Programme. Mrs. Kelly Knowles-Charlow heeded the call for artists and extended invitations to local artists to offer guidance to SRC clients as they prepared for the competition. Notable artists such as Ms. Keisha Oliver, Mr. Kishan Munroe, and Mr.
Pachino Wallace responded enthusiastically, investing their time and talent to mentor Sandilands’ clients.
The program has continued to evolve, and in 2022, the Minister of Youth Sports & Culture, Hon. Mario Bowleg, inaugurated the Art Exhibition and Auction. During the opening ceremony, Minister Bowleg commended the “creative spirit of clients and staff within the institution,” highlighting the program’s role in establishing a therapeutic foundation for healing, rehabilitation, and recovery. At the same event, Keva Thompson, Deputy Managing Director of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), praised the efforts of the
Occupational Therapy Department, emphasizing the commendable roles played by artists and others as educators, advisors, and advocates for art therapy.
The 2022 auction was a star-studded affair, featuring celebrity artists and notable figures like Dawn Davies, Eric Rose, Curator of The Central Bank of the Bahamas Mr. Ulrich Voges, and others. Active participants in the auction included Minister of Transport and Housing, Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis, and Minister of State for the Public Service, Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle.
This year’s event will be judged by Antonius Roberts, Jodi Minnis, and Katrina Cartwright. Mrs. Sunitha Pati, Head of Occupational Therapy at SRC, underscored the significant role of art in mental health rehabilitation.
Citing research by licensed art therapist and clinical counsellor Cathy Malchiodi, Pati noted that art-making has a soothing and stress-reducing effect, offering a means to transcend difficult circumstances, resolve problems, release emotions, recover from trauma, and alleviate physical discomfort. She emphasized that Art Therapy operates on the belief that people can process life experiences through art.
