June 21, 2025 — Lift Youth Fitness Centre, Airdrie
This past Saturday, Off The Grid hosted a powerful and inspiring Art Showcase at the Lift Youth Fitness Centre a celebration of creativity, emotional growth, and community connection. The event proudly featured the extraordinary artwork of Off The Grid member Olam Quach, whose collection of deeply expressive pieces captivated guests.
Olam’s showcase featured a range of intricate black-and-white portraits each one layered with emotion, detail, and storytelling. He shared with attendees that art is not just a hobby for him, but a therapeutic outlet; a way to process emotions, calm the mind, and find peace in everyday life.
The event drew a wide range of attendees, including Councillor Heather Spearman, and local
City Council candidates Chris Glass and Simi Obasan, as well as Ibi from the I Am Whole Outreach Foundation. Parents of Off The Grid members were also in attendance, many seeing firsthand for the first time the incredible talent and personal growth their children are developing through the program.
As one parent expressed awe at Olam’s work, the leader of Off The Grid explained that this is the heart of the group’s mission to find each young person’s unique strengths and passions, and help them use these as positive outlets for emotional expression. Through this approach, youth learn to channel overwhelming emotions such as anger, frustration, or sadness into healthy creative forms. This emotional learning helps shape them into resilient, emotionally balanced individuals, preparing them to become stronger community members, and in future, better parents, partners, and leaders.
The atmosphere was joyful and welcoming. Young kids enjoyed pizza, played together, and had fun exploring the artwork. The event also brought in new members, with several families and youth expressing interest in joining Off The Grid after seeing the supportive environment and the positive impact it offers.
For the City Council candidates in attendance, the showcase was also an eye-opening example of how grassroots youth programs can make a difference and how much more could be done for young people in Airdrie by expanding and supporting similar initiatives citywide.
Overall, the Art Showcase was a resounding success a beautiful reminder that when young people are given safe spaces to express themselves, build community, and explore their talents, the entire city benefits.
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