Art show features work by Calgary’s marginalized and vulnerable

There's an art show that's taking place this weekend where all the work is from Calgary's vulnerable population. It's hosted by the My Friend Dave project.

Calgarians are invited to an art show this weekend in the community of Glenbrook showcasing projects created by members of My Friend Dave.

My Friend Dave is a local program that gives a voice to vulnerable and marginalized Calgarians through writing, art and documentary filmmaking.

The group is made up of more than two-dozen people who gather at a park in Glenbrook every Monday.

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In most cases, they’re people who’ve slipped through society’s cracks.

“We’re supporting them and telling their stories through creative expression,” said My Friend Dave co-founder Jennifer Seniuk. “It’s not just one kind of art; we have someone that’s coming out who’s cooking for his creative expression, we have people that are creating music for their creative expression, then there’s sculptures and paintings.”

Seniuk started My Friend Dave last May with and Dave Lanza.

Seniuk is an art therapist, and Lanza was unhoused and wanted a way to share his story.

The two quickly formed a bond, and with Lanza’s outgoing personality, the project quickly grew with others who wanted an opportunity to share their stories as well.

“They are marginalized folks, vulnerable folks,” she said. “So they could have just been incarcerated, they could be living rough, living outside, they could be moving through sobriety and trying to get their life back on track – anyone and everyone that identifies as marginalized and vulnerable.”

Lanza died May 5, a tragedy that hit those involved in the project hard.

To celebrate his life, the art show will feature a memorial space looking at the legacy he’s left behind.

“We’ll talk about Dave and how this project has taken on a new meaning,” Seniuk said. “He was really sick for a long time, and he didn’t let anyone know what was going on because I don’t think he wanted anyone to know and [treat him] differently.”

Brothers Steve and Dennis Dionne, both of whom are unhouse, have been regulars at the Monday meetings for four months now.

They were long-time friends of Lanza, and referred to him as ‘super Dave.’

“He had the kindest heart, you know, he was a beautiful man. He didn’t have much, but he always gave what he had,” Dennis said.

“People say the homeless are more giving than the people that have money,” Steve added. “Because we take care of ourselves, we’re family together.”

Jay Blondeau spent time on the streets and is now living in an unfinished basement.

He’s helping set everything up for the art show, and says he enjoys being part of this community.

“I started coming to these and meeting all the homeless people, they’re not as far off as what people think you know, they’re actually quite nice people,” he said. “Each has their own little story like everybody else and for some reason they’re here, there and everywhere.”

Jason Laplante has his own home now, but says he spent time in jail and lived on the streets.

Lanza got him involved in the project because he has a car and could drive some of the others around when they needed a ride.

“I have these guys who are like family to me,” he said. “My family disowned me when I was 15 years old, I grew up in foster care, in group homes.”

Laplante is showing some of the sketches he made while being incarcerated.

“I’m having a lot of anxiety about that because I know there’s going to be criticism and that I’m going to be judged on my work,” he said. “Half the reason I’m doing this art show is Dave, and the other half with my ex-wife telling me to put my art out there because she even says I’m pretty good.”

The art show takes place at the Glendale Crescent park, located at 4053-4065 Glenpark Cres. S.W., on Saturday, June 14 from 12 to 4 p.m.

“We’ve got lots of food vendors,” said Seniuk. “Who doesn’t want to eat some food and look at art on a Saturday afternoon?”