Artist unmasks 'human experience' with art clinics inspired by therapeutic expression

A local artist is being recognized for a project that uses art and creative expression to "validate human experience." 

Ann Clifford, an artist based in South Georgian Bay, created The Mask Project. She facilitates creative art clinics to encourage youth, parents, teachers, peer support workers, health care workers, first responders, social service workers, and anyone else who might be struggling to self-reflect and express themselves through art.

The idea got its name and inspiration from therapeutic masks created by Clifford's students at Pine River Institute.

Clifford’s primary work is as an arts educator and youth worker at Pine River Institute, a long-term residential treatment centre for youth struggling with addictive behaviours and other mental health challenges.

“Most people will say I am not creative, I can’t do it,” said Clifford. “But the more you encourage people to do their own thing, the more people will. They really dig deep and come up with some amazing work.”

With her students’ permission, Clifford started documenting the project and used it as a creative catalyst to inspire other artists and students attending her clinics. Clifford also organizes art exhibitions to showcase this emotional work in hopes of bringing together and celebrating these diverse communities and social circles.

“My strength is to help people of all ages figure out what their creative inspiration is,” said Clifford. “Part of my goal is to help people understand that really we are not that different from each other.”

The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts (BMFA) recognized the impact of Clifford’s work and honoured her with the Robert G Kemp Arts Award earlier this month.

The $5,000 award was created in 1989 to honour Robert G. Kemp, a Canadian painter who spent a portion of his life in The Blue Mountains. The BMFA created a trust fund to recognize and encourage artists in South Georgian Bay who propose projects that will benefit the community.

Clifford is the 28th recipient of this award.

Along with Pine River student and parent art therapy groups, Clifford has facilitated workshops and presentations with Home Horizon Barbara Weider House, Mental Health and Addictions Consumer Survivor Project for Simcoe County, Peel Regional Police Organizational Wellness, and many other organizations.

Now that restrictions are easing, Clifford plans to continue facilitating workshops outdoors and in spaces where social distancing can be maintained.

“Everything has gone online and I was just feeling so sad, I don’t want to do this. I came to the realization that I don’t have to,” she said.

As an artist whose main goal is to bring out the artist in others, Clifford realized that nothing can replace the in-person experience.

“I always say you don’t have to be an artist to do art,” said Clifford. “So being around people as they stumble around and figure out how they express themselves and their curiosity, it’s thrilling.”

Clifford grew up in a family of artists, and from a young age, she realized she wanted to help people. After graduating from Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD), Clifford went straight into the Child and Youth Care program at George Brown.

Since then, Clifford made it her mission to combine these two passions.

“I don’t do art therapy, but I am a youth worker who does arts education,” she said.

Clifford believes wholeheartedly in the power of art, and said she is often blown away by the work that comes out of her clinics.

“It gives me goosebumps just talking about it,” she said. “Things like that feed me not only as a human being, but as a social worker and as an artist myself.”

For more information, visit The Mask Project online.