Representational artist Todd Lachance is passionate about making art and giving back. In 2022 he created the non-profit Plein Air MD after receiving a grant from The Canada Council for the Arts.
Today, Todd’s non-profit takes small groups on plein air trips, providing everything they need to paint for the day. But the attendees aren’t just anyone. The vision of Plein Air MD is to assist participants dealing with high levels of stress and/or PTSD; reconnecting them with nature while creating art through the medium of plein air painting. The program is open to emergency first responders and the military.
“I paint outdoors and from life as much as possible, so I know, firsthand, the mental and physical benefits it provides,” Todd said. “I started the process of creating Plein Air MD before the pandemic, initially for the military. During that time, I saw how much the community of first responders was suffering and thought they could also really use what I was creating.”
“I believe every community could benefit from what I’m doing. My advice [for those interested in starting something similar] would be to stick at it. I pounded the pavement, going to firehalls and police stations (very different experiences!), flagging down paramedics, etc. My goal isn’t to turn them into artists – just give them a fun, safe, stress-free day! If they want instruction, I provide that, but more importantly I am trying to reconnect them with nature, while engaging their minds, eyes and hands; basically, getting in the zone and playing.”
Plein Air MD Ltd is a registered charitable organization and 100% of the donations go to the running of the charity.
For more information, please visit https://toddlachance.ca/plein-air-md.
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