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<p class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Behind the Mask Travelling Exhibition—available
for booking.</b></span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof"><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>About:</b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;">The Behind the Mask project is a collaboration
between the Vernon Public Art Gallery, artist Katie Green, and Turning Points Collaborative Society. In 2022, this initiative provided a platform for some of the most vulnerable members of our community—individuals grappling with houselessness and mental health
challenges.</span></p>
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Against the backdrop of the amplified mental health issues stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, Behind the Mask aimed to encourage self-exploration and emotional expression through art. The intention was to transform the art generated by this project into murals
to be displayed in various locations in Vernon. However, despite initial support from the city council, the murals were later overturned due to some finding them "scary" and "uncomfortable."</span></p>
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<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;"><b>Now:</b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Behind
the Mask has now evolved into a travelling exhibition. VPAG believes the art generated from this project provides an opportunity to facilitate conversations of mental health and wellness, belonging, and community care. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;"><b>Please contact Sierra at education@vernonpublicartgallery to share Behind the Mask with your community.</b></span></p>
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Sierra Bronkhorst</div>
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<i>Learning & Community Engagement Curator</i></div>
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Pronouns Used: she/her</div>
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