Sensory bin project at Wagar supported by Art By The Water, Simon Chang

Art By The Water is a yearly art exhibition held at the Beaconsfield Yacht Club that provides local artists the opportunity to show and sell their paintings.  

The inaugural event in 2008 was such a success, with over 200 people in attendance and 40 paintings sold, that founder Audrey Riley and a few artist friends knew they had to continue. Art By the Water celebrated its 15th anniversary on the weekend of April 26 with an exhibition that included the works of 15 local artists.  

“We started with six artists and now have expanded to include guest artists adding more variety every year. Our 15th show is extremely special to us, and I am so very proud of accomplishing a strong, friendly, popular art show,” said Riley, who works closely with her team of Valeria Szabo, Leslie Portsmouth and Michael Yeomans.  

Each year, Art By The Water chooses a charity to be the recipient of a portion of proceeds from sales and donations received at the exhibition. This year’s beneficiary is the Simon Chang Foundation for Change (SCFC), in celebration of Chang’s 50 years in the fashion industry.  

A few years ago, Chang visited Art By The Water. “It was so special just to know he was a visitor. I later picked up a copy of Inspirations and read about him. I was very interested in his foundation,” said Riley. “Partnering with Simon Chang is extra special for us."  

Funds raised will support a large-scale sensory bin project at Wagar Adult Education Centre of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) under the leadership of Louise Panet-Raymond, Melanie Shields and Dominique Forgeard, all teachers in Wagar’s Transition Program. The project is being championed by the school’s administration team. 

Sensory bins include a multitude of tools, such as stress balls and kinetic sand, which can help students self-regulate and concentrate. Other positives include reducing stress and anxiety, and improving fine motor skills, coordination and dexterity.  

This sensory bin project was started two years ago at the EMSB’s Parkdale Elementary School by teacher Cynthia Yee and behavioural technician Natalina Melillo. They guided their special needs students in the creation and assembly of sensory bins that they then gifted to all classrooms in the school. The SCFC was instrumental in supporting this project, which is now being replicated at Wagar on a larger scale with Yee’s mentorship. It is anticipated that Sarah Kadoch, occupational therapist, and Natasha Glazer, Autism Spectrum Disorder consultant, both with the Student Services department of the EMSB, will also consult on this endeavour. “This project will help our students develop important work skills while still being in the supportive environment of Wagar,” said Panet-Raymond.  

It is anticipated that the sensory bins will be distributed by Wagar students to elementary schools in the next school year.  

“The teachers are very dedicated and I’m sure the students will greatly benefit from the bins. I think it is wonderful that Wagar students are involved. It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Riley.  

“Audrey and the Art by The Water team put together a magnificent exhibition for their 15-year anniversary,” said Chang. “I am honoured that they chose my Foundation for Change as the recipient of their raised funds. I’m also grateful to everyone who came out to support the 15 artists and, in turn, the sensory bin project that will benefit so many Montreal-area students."