Montreal Art Exhibition Raises Funds for Women’s Shelter

An art exhibition titled “The Art of Giving” took place in the Ville-Marie district of Montreal on September 18, 2025. Organized by the Hadley Community, the event showcased the works of 20 local artists, all aimed at raising funds for Anne’s House, a residence that supports women facing homelessness, trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges.

Sheila Woodhouse, the executive director of the Hadley Community, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “Because of the 10th anniversary of our women’s residence, we’re celebrating, we’re raising awareness, and we’re raising funds.” This inaugural exhibition was the brainchild of Woodhouse and her colleague, Sharon Scott, who sought a creative way to highlight the challenges faced by many women in their community.

The idea for the exhibition emerged after conversations about the need for fundraising and awareness. Artists Tristan Tondino and Joséane Brunelle, who were already contemplating how to give back to their community, joined forces with the Hadley Community to realize this vision. “It took shape maybe a year ago, and it was decided to be in the fall,” Brunelle shared. “We just put our minds together, and that was the magic that happened.”

Brunelle contributed a portrait from her collection that depicts women she encounters on the streets of Montreal. Tondino, on the other hand, donated a unique painting of a five-dollar bill. “I included the serial number and then spent the five-dollar bill, hoping someone would find it and I would give them a thousand dollars for it,” Tondino explained. He expressed his commitment to the cause, stating, “I think a lot about people who are not connected to a place to live and how hard that really must be.”

Both artists, highly connected to the local community, felt it was essential not only to donate their artwork but also to play a role in organizing the exhibition. Brunelle noted, “Most artists want to give back to society. This is our way to help. The goal is really to contribute to creating a better world for everyone.”

The urgency of addressing homelessness is underscored by recent statistics from Centraide of Greater Montreal, which indicate that the homeless population in Quebec has tripled since 2018. In Montreal, women account for 36 percent of the homeless population, many of whom are seeking housing they cannot afford. Woodhouse highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “People are one instance, one paycheck away from homelessness. Housing is a right.”

The Art of Giving attracted dozens of attendees eager to support Anne’s House. As the evening progressed, numerous red dots appeared next to sold paintings, indicating strong community engagement. Woodhouse expressed her optimism for future events, saying, “We’ve gotten very lucky to have friends in the building who have supported this. I can see us doing this again.”

With the initial success of this art exhibition, the Hadley Community aims to establish it as a recurring event to further support women in need and raise awareness about homelessness in Montreal.