NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Destanne Norris donates Artwork to Hospice for Silent Auction in recognition of National Grief and Bereavement Day on November 16, 2021

Vernon, BC (November 1, 2021) – North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS) wants to recognize and support local citizens in their grief experience in 2021 by raising awareness throughout the month of November of the need for adequate grief support services available to the community and by acknowledging National Grief and Bereavement Day on November 16, 2021.

One of the Society’s activities this November includes hosting an exclusive on-line silent auction featuring renowned local area artist, Destanne Norris’ new painting “Passage Through” oil on canvas accompanied by with her illustrative book Leah’s Gift – A Story about Reframing Loss.

“Creating art has helped people to acknowledge and cope with their feelings. Grief is an up and down journey which is different for everyone, but art can be a way to help make sense of the process,” says Lisa Matthews, Executive Director, NOHS. “As part of NOHS’s grief awareness campaign this month, we are proud to be sharing the art and literary work of Destanne Norris.”

Destanne Norris’ paintings have been exhibited in Canada and Australia in Public, University, Artist-Run and Commercial Galleries. Her paintings have been purchased by many national and international private collectors and found in corporate and public collections. She is represented by Gallery Odin, Silver Star Mountain, BC and Headbones Gallery, Vernon, BC.

In 2020, Norris published her first book, Leah’s Gift: A Story about Reframing Loss. It is an autobiographical story where Norris journeys through the loss of her daughter as she illuminates her artworks – some of which were created before her daughter was born – that were mounted in an exhibition entitled ‘Leah’s Gift’. Through her narrative and paintings, she tells how she navigated grief and learned to reframe her questions to find new purpose and meaning in life.

“Destanne has generously donated “Passage Through” along with her book to this silent auction to not only raise funds for Hospice but raise awareness of the lack of children’s grief and loss services in our community. It is well known that our community lacks sufficient supports for our children who have either lost a family member or friend,” says Matthews. “One of our long-term goals is to expand our current grief and bereavement services to include dedicated children’s grief counselling service.”

“Passage Through” is a new piece which Destanne explains as “the viewer may recognize there is sky and water however there is no distinct horizon line to orient oneself in the picture plane. Many edges are blurred, and the primarily tender-blue colour palette is soft and subtle. Paint flows in areas, allowed to drip like tears.”

The silent online auction will start on November 1 and end on November 30^, 2021. NOHS will announce the winner on December 1, 2021.

You are invited to view her exhibit and view “Passage Through” at locations around our community until November 30th. Please check our Facebook page for locations near you.

All proceeds from the sale of this art piece will be donated to North Okanagan Hospice Society. The value of the painting is $2,700.00 with a reserve bid of $900.00.

To learn more about Destanne Norris visit www.destannenorris.com.

Artist’s statement can be downloaded HERE.

To learn more about grief and bereavement services at North Okanagan Hospice Society visit www.nohs.ca or Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association National Grief and Bereavement Day resources at www.chpca.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Lisa Matthews, Executive Director
North Okanagan Hospice Society
Tel: 250-503-1800 ext 106
Email: [email protected]