Baycrest

person. To watch [his] deterioration was very difficult, not just for me but in particular for my father, who admired him so much." Brain health is a cause that has followed Ben throughout his career – first while fundraising for someone who suffered a traumatic brain injury and couldn't work, and also because his employer, Bell, is a strong supporter of mental health initiatives across Canada. He says he's "proud and pleased" to help launch The Brain Project. The public art installation is the brainchild of the Godfreys. Three of Noah's grandparents lived at Baycrest, and Erica is on the board of the Baycrest Foundation. During a visit to Chicago, the couple noticed the prominence of colourful outdoor works of art. Erica, a graphic artist, thought that brain sculptures would add interest to the Toronto streetscape and prompt more people to realize that brain health research at Baycrest is helping her generation as well as older adults. "I had a small idea but it's turned into a much bigger, exciting opportunity. And I love that people are so excited about it," she says. Noah says artists receive basic parameters related to scope and size, not unlike Faberge's charitable Big Egg Hunt in New York City or Hearts in San Francisco. "It really gives them the opportunity to express themselves and show their talents, vision and creativity," he says. Erica adds: "What I love is that art doesn't have to exist only in galleries. It's so wonderful to bring amazing world-renowned artists to Toronto, and beautify our city while raising awareness for brain health." BrainMatters WINTER 2015/16 9 Summer 2016: Brain sculptures designed by renowned and emerging artists will go on public display throughout Toronto, sponsored by philanthropists and corporations. Some will then go to auction, with proceeds going to Baycrest. Great talent behind The Brain Project Honorary Co-Chair: David Mirvish The Committee: Kate Alexander Daniels, Melissa André, David Angelo, Barbara Atkin, Natalie Aziz, Bonnie Bloomberg, Belinda Chun, Josh Colle, David Diamond, Michael Eubanks, Jay Godfrey, Paul Godfrey, Eryn Green, Alexander Josephson, Lauren Kimel-Wise, Krystal Koo, Brittney Kuczynski, Steven Latner, Lily Latner-Otis, Jana Macalik, Morley Nirenberg, Shari Orenstein, Jacqueline Piron, Sarah Rafferty, Ron Rivlin, Ariella Rohringer, Jordan Schwartz, Alana Schwartz-Konopny, Vinay Virmani, Samara Walbohm, Chris Wein /torontobrains @torontobrains @torontobrains Curators Sandra Ainsley Owner, Sandra Ainsley Gallery, Toronto Clara Halpern RBC Curatorial Fellow at The Power Plant, Toronto Anda Kubis Associate Dean, Outreach & Innovation, Faculty of Art, OCAD University Ann Priftis Senior Manager, Business Development, Amazon Art & Head of Art, Faberge Egg Hunt, NYC To find out more, visit: brainproject.ca or follow us on social:

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