The Cornwall and Area Arts Hall of Fame ceremony celebrated not just its newest members, but also recognized the impact their work may have on mental health of their audience.

Early into Saturday evening’s gala in the Best Western ballroom, co-MC Robert Poirier enlightened the 100 or so guests about this entertainment byproduct. For example, Poirier cited a York University project, The Circle Project.

It unites former women inmates with artists, who guide them to create art in various mediums. The process has led to zero rates of recidivism among the ex-convicts. The artwork has also been displayed publicly to help change public perception of those who’ve been incarcerated. The Circle Project has since expanded to include male inmates.

Poirier also touched on the healing aspects that m

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