Cambridge artist donates 52 paintings to Kitchener organization that supports people with disabilities
Schwarz's paintings are spread throughout Sunbeam's main building on the first and third floors
Cambridge artist Bill Schwarz says he wanted to bring a sense of home and comfort to the people living and working at Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services in Kitchener.
He recently donated 52 of his original paintings to the organization, including two large paintings made up of three to four large canvases.
The inspiration behind the large donation took place two months ago, when he connected with Sunbeam CEO, Brian Swainson. Originally, Schwarz was going to donate one large painting, but after touring the facility and meeting with residents, Schwarz knew he wanted to do more.
He helped staff with where the paintings should go and suggested painting some of the hallway walls to make the paintings pop.
"What this does, is create so much more warmth and community than a very institutional corridor," he said.
Schwarz said his love of painting has led to the donation of much of his work to places where people are cared for like hospitals, long-term care homes and now Sunbeam.
It started after he donated a painting to the McMaster Health Science Centre over a decade ago and learned that his paintings can help patients feel a sense of comfort and relaxed.
"I started thinking, 'My God, that may be something I can do that benefits the community and benefits me,'" he said, as he describes himself as a "prolific painter".
'I think he's just a wonderful man'
Schwarz's 52 paintings are spread out along the first and third floors of the main building. His paintings are a mix of different places he's been around the world.
For long-time residents Lisa Jaglowitz and Paul Mclay, they say the paintings make the main facility come life and are grateful for Schwarz's donation.
"I think we're spoiled. All those paintings he could have sold for a fortune, but decided to donate them instead," Jaglowitz said. "I think he's just a wonderful man."
Mclay is somewhat of an artists himself and appreciates the colours in the paintings.
"I think [the paintings] are good," he told CBC News. "I like painting. It's a good practice for me."
A naming contest was also held for the two larger paintings, which depicts a harbour and a small town. The winning names were: Small Town Charm and Rainbow Harbour, picked by two people that Sunbeam supports.
"It's very meaningful because the people we support with developmental disabilities and medical challenges, quite often they're not top of mind for people," Swainson told CBC News.
"It's brought some colour and joy to the main building and when we hung the paintings, it was almost like Christmas day."
