Art Structure unveiled at Northway

Pictured (L-R): Teresa Martone, Executive Director for SAHF, speaks. Standing next to her are Lorrie Boissoneau and Hillary Sayers who shared a song and a smudge to open the event, Ila Watson - President and CEO of Sault Area Hospital, and Michael Garcia - CEO of Algoma Steel.

On August 20, we celebrated the unveiling of a beautiful art structure by Northern Ontario artist Kathryn Corbiere (One KWE) commemorating the $1 million gift Algoma Steel made to Northway Wellness Centre in 2022. Algoma Steel's gift supported the creation of two outdoor courtyards with therapeutic gardens, a covered and accessible staff entrance, and supplied artwork for the interior of the building.

The art structure, which depicts a hawk in flight.

Kathryn shared, as part of her artist's statement: "Made primarily with Algoma’s steel, the work is designed to patina which means the work will change over time as it’s exposed to various elements. I love this aspect of the sculpture, changing like we all do, through life, and in our processes of healing. The stainless steel wave of feathers flowing over the back of the hawk is representative of the St. Mary’s River, a historically important and culturally significant waterway. The hawk carries the strength of the river on its back as it soars through the air at the Northway Wellness Centre. The sculpture is just like this Centre – created by people in the north for people in the north."

Thank you to the many people who contributed to support this project: Kathryn Corbiere, Algoma Steel, Sault Area Hospital, members of the Mental Health and Addictions team, and SAH Patient and Family Advisors.