An art show and sale to benefit the Laredo Stroke Support Group Recovery Through Art Program will be held on Saturday, May 21 at 6 pm, outside Lolita’s Bistro and Bolillos Cafe, 6950 McPherson Road .
The pieces that make up the “Fine Arts Fiesta” exhibition were made by stroke survivors.
Patricia Carretero de Orduña, Coordinator of the Recovery through Art Program, said in an exclusive interview with LMT that the organization Laredo Stroke Support Group has instituted this program for several years, which greatly benefits stroke survivors.
“The Recovery through Art Program began 5 years ago and its basic foundation is to develop new skills in stroke survivors, since they lost part of their physical, verbal and cognitive faculties. In the psychological part, it helps them restore their self-confidence and reinforce their self-esteem”, Carretero de Orduña expressed.
Carretero de Orduña said that it is not the first time that they have held an exhibition and sale to benefit the same program.
“On a small scale, every year we have had the exhibition of art created by stroke survivors, because it is the culmination of therapy. They enjoy feeling that pride of seeing their creations in front of all their family and friends. The program has grown every year and seeing the interest of people in acquiring some of the works, it was decided to make the exhibition open to the public and use it as a fundraising activity, the purpose of which is to invest in materials”, he pointed out.
He added that during the pandemic, the participants connected via Zoom and worked from their homes complying with the “Stay at home” mandate, using the Quick Guide to Survive with Art, created especially for times of quarantine, by Carretero de Orduña and his sister, also an artist, Paulina Carretero.
The authors of the works are women and men who have suffered a stroke and include the wives who are their primary caregivers.
“To date, the organization has more than 50 members, of whom about 20 attend art classes,” said Carretero de Orduña. “The paintings in the exhibition have been donated by the artists and the generous participation of those who wish to acquire any of the works will be gladly received. Around 80 works make up the exhibition and sale. All donations are destined to the purchase of materials so that the program continues year after year”.
Other members of the Laredo Stroke Support Group participate in tennis sessions, cycling, swimming, exercise, dance and meditation, among other special activities.
“We have achieved a community of support in the Laredo Stroke Support Group, an organization that will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year, when it was founded by the married couple Bill and Deedee Hrncir,” said Carretero de Orduña.
Finally, Carretero de Orduña thanked all those who participate so that the program continues to advance and invited the community to acquire unique pieces of art.
“We are grateful to the San Martin de Porres Catholic Church for allowing us to use one of their classrooms for class, to the LC and TAMIU student volunteers, to the board of directors for their continued support, and to the staff who are always there to help. support in everything. Especially in this art exhibition, we thank Lolita’s Bistro and Bolillos Cafe for allowing us to use their facilities”, said Carretero de Orduña. “We also invite the Dos Laredos community to participate in this activity to appreciate art and participate in the purchase of unique works of art”
For more information you can contact Patricia Carretero de Orduña at (956)206-4142. If someone would like to volunteer their time, art classes are every Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in San Martín de Porres. Please contact Karla Cortez at (956)775-5774.
Reach Malena Charur at [email protected] or 956-7285-2585.
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