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Willy Wonka event brought out the kid in everyone

 

Featured Art vs. Depression

by Kay Cooper                                October 2018
 
Kay hosts the Willy Wonka Event

 

 

Last year we sadly lost the wonderful actor, Gene Wilder who was the original Candy Man and Willy Wonka, so I decided that in honour of him we would have our gallery set for the local Arts Trail artists and all things Wonka. We held a Willy Wonka Gala Day.

 

The day was held in and around our shop in Kelmscott, Western Australia. We ran a bear making competition and all of my students, from not only our bear making classes but other classes we hold, were invited to show off the work and have stalls.

We had 37 stalls including one for the Resilient Friends Club and Art vs Depression who painted a mural on our outside wall and invited people to join in.

 

The wall is one of 50 that will be painted throughout our area and each one representing a cause or social issue.

We had 2000 people throughout the day visiting and the day was a huge success.

We ran a free children's workshop and face painting. We also had in attendance the Lions Club and some foods stalls.

The day was a really interactive family fun filled day.

 

See the video of Kay's shop with Willy Wonka! View . . .

 

How Resilient Friends Club Began

Kay Cooper along with Gavin Grace launched Dud's book sponsored a gala even in Perth, West Australia.

 

Children and adults enjoyed Kay's introduction.

 

Dud's story kept their attention and Kay said "one little boy had the strength to reach out for help."

 

Helping one person at a time; Dud will work his magic.

"I plan a series of books that will cover many other mental health issues," said Kay, "as helping others is what
bears do best!"

 

Kay's book is 20 pages and contain photos of Dud and his hardships.

You'll definitely want to copy, to read to your children and grandchildren.

 

Order your copy from Kay today!

 

 

$19.95 plus shipping

 

 

Many books have been donated to the AVD.

 

Kay has been invited to speak to many groups where she is an inspiration to women; those who have experience hurt, and suffer from depression.

 

Gavin, who speaks often to organizations, asks Kay and Dud to join him. As a team they are getting the word out; there is help in the form of a little bear called "Dud".

 

How Dud came to be . . .

Dud has a big, kind and loving heart but no one could see this.

Through years of abuse, bullying and misunderstanding, Dud, the battered bear, is now helping others handle depression in his new book, soon to be published by Kay Cooper (Cooper Bears).

 

"Art vs. Depression has started a program for school children," Kay began, "because depression and mental health issues are adult-heavy in content and hard for a child to cope.

 

Portrait artist Gavin Grace decided that he needed a vehicle that could deliver the message of resilience, in spite of issues the child is going through. He brings Dud to life on canvas. Gavin visits schools and chat with students about life's issues.


 

The program uses the story of Dud, the bear who was a little less than perfect, as the basis of the program.

Duds story is read to the class then its broken down into parts and the class is broken down into discussion groups.

 

To continue the healing, each child is given a buddy and as the program goes on they are encouraged to write a story about their buddy, making it easier for them to talk about their own problems.


Kay Lesley Cooper

Cooper Bears

Member since June 2012

 

Read the feature story published in the Examiner.

 

 
Kay is an active in the following:
   
 
 



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