CANADIAN SOUND THERAPY ARTS SOCIETY

The Canadian Sound Therapy Arts Society is a non-profit society devoted to the use of arts to create a dialogue and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in Canada. We see the arts as being a very useful therapeutic tool for treating people suffering emotional or psychological difficulties. We believe we can best do this by establishing safe, creative spaces where people are free to pursue their artistic expression and faculties. It is hoped that these spaces will promote collaboration with other artists, allow artists to promote their work to the larger community and to enable people to pursue a professional careers through projects created through this society.

At present the society has been producing a variety of arts initiatives to create a dialogue and promote a greater understanding of mental health issues. Through our radio program Sound Therapy Radio broadcast on CJSF Radio every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.. We also have programming on Shaw Cable’s community television Channel 4. EVOTV and Sound Therapy Television broadcast throughout the week, Sunday 1 a.m, 7:30 – 8:30, Monday 2:30 pm., Thursday (Wednesday midnight), 10:30 a.m. And Friday 3 a.m. and Saturday 12 noon. As well we have been involved with a number of community arts projects such as Gallery Gachet and festivals such as the Burrard Inlet FishFest and TreeFest at Riverview Hospital.

OUR VISION FOR RIVERVIEW

Riverview Hospital started in 1913 with the opening of the West Lawn Building to treat 300 male patients and at its peak in the 1950′S had 4,630 patients. In the 1980′s the government began cutting back on funding as regional centres opened. Buildings were closed and land sold off for development. Riverview was officially closed in July 2012.

We envision a sanctuary! An oasis of natural beauty! A century’s worth of architectural heritage! An Arbortoreum and Botanical Garden! An artist colony! An EcoVillage of sustainability! An Urban Agricultural centre!

“We have here a unique and beautiful creation that is the legacy and gift of previous generations. We want to take this botanical creation and use it for education, for therapy, and for the mental health of the people of British Columbia and Canada. This is our vision”“

Bill Browne, Founding President, RHCS

As a humble beginning towards our vision we are formulating a proposal to turn the former Dogwood Credit Union Building into an arts and media centre. This would include a gallery/exhibition/performance space, artist studios/workshops, television studio, radio/audio studio, digital media centre. The creation of the centre would serve the present residents of the Riverview community and be open to the public. Wes see this project as the first step into transforming Riverview into the magnificent healing centre and refuge that it was meant to be.

For more information and to get involved please email us at [email protected]