Thanks to the generosity of Tracy Stople and The Stople Hope Fund, Victoria Hospital Foundation hosted an art class for outpatients of Victoria Hospital’s Mental Health Program and clients of Winnipeg’s Artbeat Studio. 

 

What is The Stople Hope Fund?

Tracy established The Stople Hope Fund in 2009 with The Winnipeg Foundation to provide opportunities for people living with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder to realize their potential and more fully participate in community life. These opportunities can help individuals increase their self-esteem, overcome barriers, decrease stress, and be empowered without compromising their current income. The goal is for those in the mental health field to help improve their client's capacity to realize their potential.

Why Tracy Stople Partnered with Victoria Hospital Foundation

June 14^th is a day of reflection and hope for Tracy, as it marks the passing of her mother, Jennie, in 2016. Jennie lived with schizophrenia, and it was important for Tracy to honour the memory of her mother and provide a creative outlet for those living with mental health issues.   

“I know how stigmatizing mental illness is, so I wanted to do something that would help make someone’s day a bit better. My mom struggled many times, and I know that something small and personal, like an art class, could provide a couple of hours to take someone’s mind off things. My main passion is for someone to look back and be able to say, ‘this was a good day’.” - Tracy Stople

Tracy came to the Victoria Hospital Foundation because she knew that Victoria Hospital had a mental health program and also the beautiful Miracle Garden, a serene and accessible outdoor space that everyone could enjoy. Throughout the pandemic, Tracy discovered a new love for flowers, butterflies, and nature and knew there had to be a way to combine all the things she cared about into a meaningful event. She combined her love of the outdoors and her desire to support mental wellness by honouring her mother with an art class in the Miracle Garden. Another reason why Tracy wanted to have the art class in the award-winning Miracle Garden, is because it won the Assessible Site Design Award in the City of Winnipeg’s 20th Annual Access Awards. Accessibility is extremely important to Tracy, who advocates for all people with disabilities, whether physical or mental—everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

All was set to go for the wonderful outdoor class when mother nature opted for a thunder storm on June 14^th! Despite the lack of flowers in Victoria Hospital’s cafeteria, the event was warm and welcoming, and brought together participants from Victoria Hospital’s Mental Health Outpatient Program and Artbeat Studio. Local artist Terisa Taylor and the Artbeat Studio team facilitated the art class, while violinist Qiqi Zhang performed inspirational music. An art-themed photo booth provided a space for fun photo memories and a light lunch and refreshments followed the class. 

   
Terisa Taylor                                                                                           Qiqi Zhang

Tracy’s commitment to mental wellness shows no bounds—not only did she invest in the art class, but she invested in two stone pavers that were installed in the Miracle Garden after the event. One dedicated to her mother, Jennie R Stople, and the other recognizes The Stople Hope Fund’s commitment to mental wellness. 

  

 

“I think compassion is missing in the world,” says Tracy. “There are a lot of funds out there that generically support mental health but none with a personal touch.”

Tracy’s mom lived with schizophrenia since she was nine years old, and Tracy has experienced the way people have treated her and her family. She wanted to do something personal and something for the future. “When I am gone, I want to know that something good is in place to help people that have always been stigmatized,” says Tracy.

“If my mom had had the opportunity to discover art, I wonder if she would have found it therapeutic? I even wonder if my interest in art and my art skills are something I share with her?” ponders Tracy.

Who was Jennie Stople?

Jennie was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others and always did her best. Tracy remembers her mom as a quiet person due to her medications but that she was always very thoughtful. She would remember birthdays and had a photographic memory for numbers and dates because she had been a bookkeeper. 

Jennie R Stople, courtesy of Tracy Stople

Tracy has several stories that reflect Jennie’s personality and dedication to her children. One that makes her eyes well with fond memories is when her mom visited her in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, to help her with the accounts and payroll of her and her former husband’s small business. During the visit, Tracy and her husband decided to jet off for one night for a well-deserved rest, but when they arrived in the hotel room, the phone was blinking to indicate a message. Since, Jennie was the only person who knew where Tracy was, she immediately called her mom back to see what crisis was unfolding. It turned out that the night-shift employee had accidentally set off the silent alarm that triggered the RCMP to come and investigate. And, as Jennie came out of the backroom office to the counter, alarm key in hand, she met a squad of RCMP officers who all had their guns drawn! To their dismay, they realized that the 60 something year-old woman in curlers and a dressing gown was not there to rob the place.

Humorous stories like this one kept Tracy and her mom, Jennie, laughing through the tough times. “Even though my mom was flatlined most of the time, we could tell this story and laugh so much, like my eyes are tearing up now—it was a connection that we could always share when she was having a bad day. We could always bring it up, and she could always laugh at it,” says Tracy.


Tracy Stople with her mom and dad

Benefits of the Art Class

Creating art has numerous therapeutic and mental health benefits, such as decreased stress and anxiety and increased self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

It provides an outlet for people to create something and express themselves in a personal way, which means everything to Tracy, who also took part in the class. In fact, Tracy’s favourite class in school was art, but she never thought much about it until after participating in her very own art class some 40 years later. Now, she knows exactly why she loved art. “Because it made me feel good!” says Tracy. She enjoyed picking up a paint brush again, using acrylic paints and learning how to paint from a motivating and skillful instructor. “It was just fabulous—instead of having a blob of nothing, my finished painting actually looked like something. It made me feel good, and lifted my spirits,” explains Tracy.

Since rekindling her love of art, Tracy has continued to be inspired by the nature and butterflies in her backyard and beyond.



 
Tracy felt at ease speaking with several of the art class participants. They shared their finished artworks, photos of their art portfolios, and even swapped art apps on their phones. Tracy beams with joy as she recalls how the class had such a positive impact on all of the participants.

She was also doubly pleased that the in-person event could help ease the impact that COVID-19 has had on our collective mental health, especially those already living with mental illness. Despite her lived-experience of losing friends and even her father to COVID-19, her personal strength and compassion for others inspired her to provide an opportunity to help others along their journey towards mental wellness. “If you can just do something small, like opening a door or smiling or saying how is your day because you don't know what that person is going through,” says Tracy.

Feedback from Participants

Every one of the participants enjoyed the art class immensely—from the art supplies, Terisa Taylor’s teaching skills, and the violin music to the kind and supportive atmosphere where they could be themselves and socialize with other artists. 

Here is what some of the participants said about the event:

“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the event. I felt like I was treated really well and respected for who I am. You looked after me, and I felt like royalty. The music and lunch were excellent. I appreciate having been able to attend this in a place that was familiar to me. It was such a great day.” - Anne C. 

“It was an inspiration to be amongst other artists and rekindled my enthusiasm to create and connect. Thank you for the (art) supplies, which I will put to good use.” - Glenna B

Here are a few finished art works. To see more follow our @SupportTheVic social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.