‘Come Fly With Me’ is a multimedia, 3-dimensional group installation featuring birds in flight created by BIST members during Freaky Friday arts program hours and / or independently at home (artists’ choice). The idea was developed by BIST artists in January, 2025.

We will encourage viewers to take selfies with the art installation and share on social media, to help spread awareness during Brian Injury Awareness Month. 

‘Come Fly With Me’ will be on display at our Expressive Art Show at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre in June. It is also our goal to incorporate parts of the exhibit at our upcoming booth at Toronto Pride (Canada Day weekend)!

After these events, artists will be encouraged to take their contributions to the project home.

Birds can serve as a metaphor for the journey of life with brain injury. Each year, they embark on an incredible migration, navigating vast distances with resilience and determination, qualities that mirror the experience of living with brain injury.

Our goal: EVERYONE who lives with brain injury who would like can participate and contribute to this multimedia piece.

  • Artists will be given bird silohettes cutouts  to paint / colour / decorate as they wish. Artists can attend Freaky Fridays on the session dates listed below where they can work on their pieces. Artists can also have birds mailed to them if they are unable to attend sessions in person to work on at home. These birds will be 2-dimensional, and hung at Cedar Ridge Centre from a structure or the ceiling (to be determined.)
  • Artists who wish to work a different bird or flight themed piece are welcome to do so. Ideas may include papier-mâché  decoupage 3-Dimensional pieces. Artists can choose to work on their projects at home or during Freaky Friday sessions.
  • We are trying to be mindful of pacing and energy levels as we work on this project. We will try to be as flexible with timelines as possible.

Freaky Friday Sessions – Timeline 

Freaky Friday typically runs 3 – 4:30 PM.

During the session dates listed below we will run the program from 2-4:30 PM, giving participants the option to arrive early if they prefer. Participants are encouraged to take breaks, and pace themselves.

March 28th – Session #1

April 11th, 2025 – Session #2

NO SESSION ON APRIL 18th – GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY

April 25th, 2025 – Session #3

May 9th, 2025 – Session #4

May 16th, 2025 – Session #5

May 23rd, 2025 – Session #6

Artists Working at Home – Timeline

Monday, March 17th:

Bird Silouhette Cut-Outs: If you would like to decorate a bird silouhette cut out at home, please contact Meri by March 14th so we can mail out a piece to you. Please include your address in your message.

Directions on sending completed birds back to the office will be sent by mail.

Indivdiual Project: If you want to do your contribution to this exhibit, on your own time, please contact Meri to discuss your ideas, how BIST can support you and how we can incorporate your idea within the exhibit.

Meri Perra, Communications Manager: mperra@bist.ca OR 416-407-6634.

Friday May 2nd:

Please have your bird / project completed by this date so it can arrive on time to the BIST Office.

Friday May 9th:

Completed silohette birds need to be at BIST Office.