Online Art Gallery supports Child Battling cerebral Palsy
A heartwarming initiative is underway in Calgary, Alberta, as an online art gallery, Little Bee Gallery, is raising funds for 17-month-old Beckett Mireault Hickerson, who is bravely battling cerebral palsy. The gallery,a collaborative effort spearheaded by Suzanne Mireault,Beckett’s great-aunt,showcases a diverse collection of artwork with a portion of all sales directly benefiting Beckett’s ongoing therapy.
“My niece, Chantale, lives with Beckett in Calgary, and they are close to a center of excellence specializing in therapy to help children like Beckett,” Mireault shared. “They work with him to re-educate him to communicate and walk with advanced technologies.”
Mireault, an artist herself, teamed up with her niece, a lawyer and fellow artist, to establish Little Bee Gallery. The idea, Mireault explained, stemmed from a simple observation: “I was at her house, and there where lots of stunning paintings, and I had no idea that she was an artist.I had an idea and I said to her: ‘What would you think if we sold paintings for Beckett, to help her parents with the costs of therapy?’”
Recognizing the need for a diverse and compelling collection, Mireault reached out to other artists to contribute. “We created a section called ‘Friends with Little bee’—this is where artists give us pieces,one to four,” she explained. “It takes talent to make our gallery credible, and [artist] Roger Lafrenière was the perfect person for that.”
The gallery’s success underscores the power of community and the arts in supporting families facing significant medical challenges. The initiative highlights the growing need for accessible and advanced therapies for children with cerebral palsy in the United States and Canada, emphasizing the financial burden often placed on families. Little Bee Gallery offers a tangible way for art lovers to contribute to a worthy cause while acquiring unique and beautiful pieces.
To learn more about Little Bee Gallery and how you can support Beckett, visit [insert website address here].
Interview with Suzanne Mireault
Senior editor: Suzanne,thank you for taking the time to talk with us today about little Bee Gallery and your nephew,Beckett.
Suzanne Mireault: It’s my pleasure. Thank you for having me.
Senior Editor: The story of Little Bee Gallery is incredibly heartwarming. Can you tell us how this initiative came to be?
Suzanne Mireault: Sure. My niece, Chantale, Beckett’s mom, is an artist. I was visiting her in Calgary and admiring some of her paintings, and I thought, “Why don’t we sell these and raise money for Beckett’s therapy?” Chantale is a lawyer as well, but she’s a very talented artist. Beckett has cerebral palsy, and the therapy he needs is quite expensive. We thought this would be a good way to help them out.
Senior Editor: What kind of response did you receive from other artists when you asked them to contribute?
Suzanne Mireault: It’s been unbelievable. We created a section called “Friends with Little Bee” were artists donate pieces. We where so lucky to have Roger Lafrenière, a well-known artist, contribute. It gives the gallery credibility and has attracted other talented artists who want to be involved.
senior Editor: It sounds like a wonderful collaboration. What are your hopes for Little Bee Gallery moving forward?
Suzanne Mireault: We hope to continue raising awareness and funds for Beckett and other families facing similar challenges. We believe art has the power to bring people together and make a real difference. We’re also hoping to expand the gallery and showcase more artists in the future.
