Safia, a 17-year-old high school student from Edmonton, joined Masterstroke Atelier Society of Alberta because she wanted to give back to her community in a way that felt creative and meaningful. Coming from an immigrant family, she had seen how difficult it was for her grandparents to adapt to life in Canada — the loneliness, the language barriers, and the long winters that seemed to deepen isolation.

When Safia joined one of MASA’s art workshops for seniors, she was paired with Mrs. Begum, a 76-year-old widow who had recently moved to Alberta to live with her son’s family. Mrs. Begum barely spoke English, and at first, she sat quietly, hesitant to join in.
Safia brought out paints and paper and, using gestures and smiles, encouraged Mrs. Begum to try painting. At first, Mrs. Begum painted simple shapes. But as the session went on, her brushstrokes grew bolder — she painted a scene from her childhood in Bangladesh: a bright green rice field under the warm sun.

When Safia saw the painting, she recognized the joy on Mrs. Begum’s face. She asked her own grandmother to help translate. That moment became magical: Mrs. Begum shared the story behind the painting, and Safia realized that art had bridged a gap that language could not. By the end of the program, Mrs. Begum had created three pieces of art that she proudly showed her family. Safia, inspired by her bond with Mrs. Begum, decided to study art therapy at the University of Alberta so she could help more seniors and newcomers heal through creativity.

Impact Message:

This story shows how MASA’s work does more than bring people together for art. It creates connections across generations and cultures, inspires young people to discover their calling, and gives seniors the tools to express themselves and combat loneliness.