Bruce the big tabby has inspired countless people in his role as Nova House’s therapy cat.
The gentle soul has been there for some of people’s toughest times. And also their most proud, as they journey through withdrawal from alcohol or drugs at Bendigo Community Health Services’ residential house.
Now, Bruce is set to influence the city’s creatives within and without of the Nova House walls.
BCHS has launched The Bruce – an art award that honours and promotes the work of Nova House.
Senior Leader AOD Clinical Services Amanda Gould (pictured here with main man) said Nova is seeking submissions of art that adheres to the theme of ‘Bruce’.
“We want the community to know that Nova House is a normal, peaceful place, where people do normal, peaceful things,” she said.
Like, making art, doing crafts and yes, smooching a cat.
“We’re inviting not only our clients to submit a piece, but anyone who knows about Bendigo Community Health Services,” Amanda says.
“Maybe they’ve accessed one or more of our services in the past, or maybe they will in the future. Basically, any local person of any age is welcome to submit.”
The winning artwork will be chosen by the clients who are staying at Nova House during the week of December 8 – 12.
The ‘prize’ for the winner will be to have their work featured and credited on a BCHS greeting card. They will also be celebrated on the BCHS website and social media as a champion of creativity and community health.
The competition guidelines are as follows:
- Open to anyone of any age living in Greater Bendigo.
- Open to artists of all levels of experience and expertise, from beginners to dabblers to professionals.
- Works can be in any visual medium, submitted as a digital image.
- Works must be in a dimension easily reproduced on a standard-sized greeting card.
- Works must relate to the theme of ‘Bruce’ – this can be interpreted in any way the artist chooses.
- Digital images to be emailed to accompanied by the artist’s contact details.
- We may share entries during and after the competition for promotional purposes and to celebrate the entries. Please state if you DO NOT want your entry shared in this way.
- Deadline is Wednesday, December 3.
Amanda is also calling for donations of art and craft supplies so people within Nova House can not only contribute to the competition if they wish, but continue to get creative long after it’s finished.
Donations can be dropped off at the BCHS Central site at 164 – 171 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
