Artist as Changemaker: Fellowship Artists
The artists participating in the Artist as Changemaker Residency and Fellowship Program have been diligently immersed in their projects, and we are thrilled to take a peek at their creative endeavours in anticipation of the upcoming final showcase scheduled for May 2024.
Kevin Jesuino
Partner: The Alex
Project Description: The Root Food Project arose out of the question: How might we make people more aware of food systems? Since this was a massive question to undertake, one that could endlessly evolve and develop into many smaller projects, I chose to come to the 'root' of it all.
I invited folks to sit with me at a kitchen table and to help me cook a meal that my Portuguese mother and aunties would make me - caldo verde (Portuguese Kale Soup) while simultaneously prompting stories based on the question: What is your root food?
The stories that unfolded fell into three categories:
Cultural Roots - Dishes associated with one’s cultural background.
Familial Roots - Dishes related to family traditions or customs.
Root Vegetables - A dish that involves one’s favourite root vegetable.
As each person shared their story, the soup, made by many hands, was cooked, and the entangling of metaphorical roots began to emerge. As these roots began to intertwine with each other, the participants began to experience nourishment, trust and support from those who sat across from them.
How would you describe the impact of this work?
That impact of this work was in the community sharing and the transfer of stories between individuals. There was an increased level of compassion for one another and also moments of insight where one person's story erupted the table into excitement and joy because of what they said. It allowed us to come back to a place where we are nourished -- Earth. To dig our toes below the table cloth, below the table, below our feet, below the foundations of the building and into the things that provides us all nourishment. It gave us compassion for each other and the land.
Melanee Murray-Hunt
Partner: Action Dignity
Project Description: As a director and filmmaker, Melanee's project "Secret Society" involved working with youth on brainstorming, team building, ensemble work, improvisation, script readings, and screenwriting for a short film. The film's storyline follows ambitious college students vying for a place in a secret organization, learning the hard truth that not everyone gets what they deserve.
How would you describe the impact of this work?
The youth have amazing sample reels for their careers in acting, they have writing credits and experience developing storylines, plots, characters, honesty and commitment to the process.
Skye Louis
Project Description:
The Artist As Changemaker card deck is a new tool designed for artists working in the community. The deck is an open-ended tool that can be used for collaborative conversation, personal reflection, facilitation and more. Through artistic practice, they can influence mental models, build empathy, and support group processes. We built this deck as an open and adaptable tool for artists and groups who are doing changemaking work together. It can be used to build common ground, unpack ideas, get inspired, understand impact, and dream big. There is no right or wrong way to use these cards. We hope they help with relationship-building, dialogue, and developing collaborative, arts-based responses to complex challenges. At their heart, these cards are about creativity, communication and collaboration. The most important thing is that you use them as you move through a process together.
Barbara Amos
Project Description: The Calgary Association of Life Long Learners (CALL), a volunteer-driven organization with a predominantly 55+ membership, faced challenges during the pandemic. The Creative Projects group, centred around creativity, particularly drawing, embraced technology, developing a resilient and self-sustaining community. This project explores the development of a self-sustaining community of late-life adults, specifically focusing on the Creative Projects group within the Calgary Association of Life Long Learners (CALL). The group, initially formed in October 2019, adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic, transitioned to online platforms, and evolved into a thriving community with shared leadership, regular meetings, and a commitment to fostering creativity.
Drawing as an Expression of Creativity: Exploring the role of drawing in promoting balance, joy, and brain development in late life. The Zentangle Method, a pattern-based drawing approach was introduced, offering therapeutic benefits and enhancing confidence.
How would you describe the impact of this work?
A six-week course on pattern-based drawing was conducted, emphasizing concepts such as trusting the process, pattern-based drawing, the inner critic, imperfection, and creativity. Participants' responses were evaluated through a series of questions and analyzed for meaningful insights.
Social Change Impact Statements:
Creation of a self-sustaining community with reduced barriers to connection.
Identifying and reducing blocks hindering connection, such as perfection/imperfection, doubt, and anxiety.
Establishment of annual events, foster friendships outside formal meetings and reduce clique behaviours