About 100 community members flowed through SPACE Arts Center in South Pasadena Saturday night, August 22, during the opening reception of “Expressions: An Art Exhibit by the Children of Hillsides.” During the reception, Hillsides Director of Development Carrie Espinoza welcomed guests, saying that “art is an important therapeutic tool for the children, and through painting, drawing, and other mediums, they are allowed to express emotions they ordinarily suppress.”
Espinoza also thanked SPACE for hosting the show and RBC Wealth Management, who sponsored the exhibit. Patrick McKiernan of RBC Wealth Management spoke about the company’s philosophy of giving back and his personal commitment to helping children.
The art show, which celebrates the healing power of art for children in foster care, displays paintings by 18 children who either live at Hillsides residential treatment program or attend Hillsides Education Center. The children worked for weeks on their paintings under the direction of Hillsides art instructor Natalie Faris, and four children attended the reception. Local artist Valerie Johnson also worked with the children on a large, colorful mural, “Children Playing.”
The exhibit will be on display until September 4 for any community members wishing to still view the paintings and learn more about Hillsides.
In the United States, RBC Wealth Management operates as a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC. Founded in 1909, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and other major securities exchanges.
Hillsides, headquartered in Pasadena, serves more than 6,200 children and families in 19 sites throughout Los Angeles County. The agency provides high quality care, advocacy, and innovative services that promote safe, permanent environments where young people can thrive. For more information on Hillsides, please visit www.hillsides.org.
