Loki Swain and Su Sahu want you to experience the Colours of Courage firsthand.
The husband and wife team is behind the free Colours of Courage: A Cancer Survivor’s Journey event on Saturday, Feb. 10, at Bloom Bistro (225 Ferndale Dr.) in Barrie. It will include a silent auction and an art exhibit featuring the paintings by award-winning artist and Stage 4 cancer survivor Alexandra Gronfors.
Swain and Sahu organized the event together through their Innisfil-based business, Goltikli — pronounced Goal-tick-lee — which means coasters in Sanskrit.
“Both of us love connecting with people, making friends and spreading positive cheer around,” Sahu and Swain said in a joint statement.
The couple started designing products — such as coasters — from home, but their product line has changed to feature scented soy wax candles and room sprays.
“We were introduced to candlemaking by one of our friends and what simply started as a self-healing process in the kitchen eventually turned out into a passion. All our candles are symbolic of exactly those joyful stories. Whether it’s a simple chat with our friends on a bright sunny day or an inspiring story from an artist like Alexandra, we have a candle for almost every story,” they said.
Organized in honour of World Cancer Day, which is internationally recognized on Feb. 4, Goltikli has incorporated Gronfors' art titled Shadow the Lion into a limited edition soy candle.
“Battling the challenges of cancer treatment led me to paint lions — symbols of courage and strength, echoing the resilience within me,” Gronfors said.
Additionally, Gronfors will be offering three prints of Shadow The Lion at the event.
“This majestic (48-inch by 48-inch) canvas isn't just art; it's a living story of power and strength. When it found a new home in Las Vegas during my MacLaren Art Centre exhibition, it marked a roar of triumph. 'Shadow the Lion' isn't just paint on canvas; it's a reminder of courage,” Gronfors said.
“As a family-run business based out of Innisfil we take pride in organizing this. It has been a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with a warrior like Alexandra. And this gives an opportunity for the residents of Innisfil to come and learn about her journey,” Sahu said.
On her experience battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, Gronfors said, “Facing a Stage 4 diagnosis at 29 turned my world upside down. From undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy to wearing a PICC line and losing all my hair, it took a toll.”
“I had to pause my dream teaching job, went through a breakup, and moved back in with my parents for them to take care of me. But amidst the chaos, cancer sprinkled a bit of magic: Art,” she said.
“Painting became my motivation to keep fighting, sprinkling a dash of control and accomplishment with each finished piece. Having a blank canvas offered a world of possibilities. Now, as a full-time artist, I host paint nights, lead art lessons, offer prints, and create custom pieces. Cancer took me on a life detour, and surprisingly, I'm grateful for the transformative journey it set me on.”
Diagnosed in the fall of 2020, Gronfors was treated at the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH). All proceeds from the silent auction and 25 per cent of the funds raised through the sale of art and candles on Feb. 10 will be donated to the RVH Foundation.
“The staff at RVH, particularly in the chemo suite, were exceptional. Their patience, understanding, and friendliness stood out, especially during times when I wasn't at my best and felt reluctant to undergo chemotherapy due to its challenging effects. Not only were the staff pleasant, but all the patients I interacted with were optimistic and encouraging as well,” Gronfors said.
“We are supporting Simcoe Muskoka Hospital Cancer Unit to make a tangible impact on the lives of those affected by cancer,” Sahu and Swain said. “It goes beyond medical care, reaching into the realms of emotional support, accessibility to treatment, and the pursuit of advancements that hold the potential to change the landscape of cancer care for the better.”
Gronfors enjoys painting “enchanting nature scenes of our beautiful Muskoka landscapes,” and as a certified teacher in Ontario, she specializes in teaching art to children of all ages. In fact, the Rotary Club of Barrie District 7010 gave her with the Outstanding Educator Award for 2022-23.
“I love creating art with vivid and lively colours, crafting paintings that radiate positive energy. Achieving my goal means spreading joy through my art,” Gronfors said.
Swain, Sahu and Gronfors all thanked Bloom Bistro for providing the venue.
“We chose to host our event at the Bloom Bistro because of its cozy (ambience), central location, and commitment to supporting local initiatives. The cafe has an inviting atmosphere which helps encourage socializing, making it an ideal setting for our event. Additionally, the cafe owners are amazing people and have a lot of dedication to community engagement which aligns with the values of our cause, ensuring a positive and collaborative experience,” Swain and Sahu said.
Swain and Sahu told InnisfilToday that many small businesses in Innisfil donated goods for the silent auction. Winners will be notified no later than the day following the event.
"This event is an example for which our Innisfil community stands for. It is an event of resilience and courage,” Swain said.
Register to attend the event via the Eventbrite page here.
