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Balloon artist creates delight for residents

February 11th, 2020

When the Resident Council at Points West Living Heritage House in Vegreville went looking for some unique entertainment to bring to the community, they decided to bring in Phileas Flash. The artist and performer has been dubbed ‘the Michelangelo of balloon art’, and he didn’t disappoint.

Limitless creations

Hailing from Edmonton, Phileas Flash (British born performer Rupert Appleyard) delighted residents with banter as he inflated, bent, twisted, stretched and manipulated coloured balloons of all hues into seemingly limitless creations.

Magical beings

Residents got to pick the creation they’d like to keep. “Some of the balloon constructs they chose were a sword, cat, dolphin, diamond ring, crown, enchanted rose, unicorn, flowers, dog, frog and he even made the Disney character Dumbo the elephant,” says office administrator Jamie McKain

Surprise and excitement

“It was absolutely amazing to see what Rupert can make with balloons,” she adds. “He travels all over the world teaching how to make balloon animals and more spectacular creations, and says the joy on people’s faces is the reason why he loves his job so much.”

“You can see from the photos all the excitement on the residents’ faces,” says Jamie. “One resident said ‘I feel like a child again.’ There’s no better joy for our care partners than to see the residents so surprised and with such excitement in their eyes. The event brought so much fun, joy, laughter, and happiness.”

“This is something that we will all be talking about for a long time.”

Photo: Resident Vicky Triska holds a balloon art ‘enchanted rose’ created by Edmonton balloon artist and performer Phileas Flash, at PWL Heritage House in Vegreville on January 21.

More photos at Flickr: Balloon artist creates delight for residents

To see more of Phileas Flash’s creations, visit flashbaloons.com

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