Custodial worker spends several hours per week teaching art to students and staff

TIMMINS, ON: Students, staff and their families can explore their artistic talents and find a mental health respite, thanks to a Northern College drop-in class led by custodial worker Tom Armitage.

Art Affect runs Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and has been a staple at the College for the past two years. Its goal is to provide a space where individuals can care for their mental well-being through creative expression and social interaction. Students are free to focus on the art form of their choice, from painting and drawing to clay formation and portraits.

Once a youth living without a place to live, Armitage said Northern College gave him his first paid art job, and now leads these classes after performing his maintenance responsibilities. His journey from custodial worker to art mentor highlights his dedication to helping others find solace and purpose through art.

“Growing up as an artist, people always told me to get a real job,” said Armitage. “I tell the students that you can follow your dreams, no matter what others say. We only have so much time on this earth and time is the most valuable thing we have. You might as well smile and enjoy it.”

The Art Affect class has a profound impact on both domestic as well as international students, who haven’t always had opportunities to engage in creative arts back home.

“It’s incredible to see these students pick up a paintbrush for the first time and express themselves in ways they never could before,” said Armitage.

Armitage started his artistic teaching journey at Northern College in 2021. What started as a small initiative to provide mental health support through art, has grown into a beloved program with participants from various disciplines, including mechanics and trades students, as well as faculty members and their children.

“Students, especially those living far from home, share experiences with loneliness and isolation. As Student Advisers, we listen and work to find creative ways to foster meaningful opportunities for much needed connection. With the Art Affect and Tom’s leadership and compassion, students have found a welcoming space to learn, create and socialize,” stated Nichole Roy, Mental Health Advisor at the College. “We know that art and wellness are connected, and this initiative provides yet another innovative way to let students know that we care about them and have resources to help. Tom is also so much fun. He is kind, engaging and talented. These qualities contribute to our goal in creating a healthy, welcoming, and inclusive campus community.”

Classes with Art Affect focus on making art accessible and enjoyable, regardless of skill level. The  program is lauded for its impact on supporting mental wellness and fostering a supportive community. By providing a creative outlet, participants have an outlet to manage their stress and build their confidence, all while contributing to their overall well-being.

Northern College continues to support Armitage’s vision and the Art Affect program, recognizing the importance of mental health and creative expression in education.

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About Northern College

Northern College, established in 1967, leads the province in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). It holds the top ranking in the province of Ontario in the graduate employment rate category as well as the highest employer satisfaction score for Northern College alumni compared to all English-speaking colleges in Ontario (2023). The College has four main campuses located in Haileybury, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Timmins, as well as many Access Centres, which provide post-secondary education and academic upgrading to Indigenous learners in remote communities along the James Bay coast. Northern College, known as Canada’s Kindest College, is recognized for its warm, welcoming and culturally inclusive environment. A highly respected community and regional partner with close to 50,000 graduates, including the Haileybury School of Mines (est. 1912), the College plays a critical role in the region’s economic development as well as strong global mining influence. Northern College serves the educational needs of post-secondary, apprenticeship, and contract training, both on-site and through remote learning, as well as delivering academic upgrading and employment services. Its catchment area covers 160,000 square kilometres, which is roughly the size of France, and includes over 65 communities – 18 of which are First Nations.

 

Media Contact:

Cristina Cromeyer Salaverria
Marketing, Communications and External Relations
Northern College
salaverriac@northern.on.ca