By E. Maestro (Posted by ReyFort Media)
The Healing Colours 2025 Art Exhibit opened to the public on Friday, October 24 at the Sunset Community Centre to a packed crowd. The exhibition was organized by the PANCIT art collective and Migrante BC.
United Way’s Kapwa Strong Fund provided support to the Mural Making Art Therapy Project which was initiated and guided by internationally recognized artist Bert Monterona. From four-hour art therapy drawing and painting workshops, the participants produced artworks for the group art exhibit “The Healing Colours.” The Sunset Community Centre generously provided venue space and extra volunteer help for the exhibition.
Twelve artists created 5ft x 5 ft large murals, now prominently displayed on the walls of the community centre. Guest local artist Ezra Larsen’s metal sculpture was a remembrance of the 11 people who were killed, 11 metal flowers around the figure of the Filipino warrior hero Lapu Lapu. Noel Johanssen, the husband of Jen Darbellay who was one of the eleven killed at the Lapu-Lapu festival, shared Jen’s artwork for the exhibit and her story at the opening night.
Two huge 8ft by 8ft community murals – the 40th Day Mural and the Sarimanok – hung above the artworks on the wall, results of public engagement and collaborative painting.
The art catalogue sums up the art exhibit thus: “Each piece—whether a solo artwork or an expansive community mural—bears witness to a community’s courage to face loss and to imagine healing as an act of solidarity. Healing Colours reaffirms the role of art not only as expression but as social practice: a process through which migrants, artists, and neighbours alike rediscover connection, creativity, and care.”
On Sunday, Oct 26, exactly to the day of the horrible mass casualty, St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Church (known as the small church with a big heart) offered its Sunday mass to mark the sixth month anniversary of the tragedy. Candles were lit and prayers were said by the congregation around the memorial altar. This was the same church that opened its doors and Sunday mass to a packed church, less than 24 hours after the incident. Rev. Expedito Farinas talked about lingering confusion and anger from the community, but also about hope and justice.
The road to recovery, to healing is nowhere near. For the community, for the families of the dead and the many injured. Just around the corner is All Souls/All Saints Day and a time to remember those who have gone before us. Another day of mourning and remembering.
ReyFort Media 
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