ART AS HEALING WITH MELANIE GRAY
August 7, 1pm–2:30pm
This session will open with a land acknowledgement and the Thanksgiving Address, followed by the guiding question of "Who am I in relation to the world?" to consider identity, purpose, lived experiences and exploration of being BIPOC/2SLGBTQ+. We will explore questions such as: What strengths do I have? How do I maintain resilience? How do I take care of myself? What gifts do I have? We will be using art as a tool for expression and discussion in order to facilitate healing within our mind, body and spirit. Youth will have the opportunity to share their artwork with the group and support one another with encouragement.
Melanie Gray graduated from Queen’s University in 2016 with a BAH in Art History and Indigenous Studies. She went on to complete her graduate program at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute where she graduated in 2018. Her thesis was titled The Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen Project: Introducing Art Therapy to Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory using the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. As an Indigenous Art Therapist, Melanie continues to be grounded in her Haudenosaunee culture and uses this understanding in her art healing practice.
IMAGE MAKING WITH VIIEIN DAMPIER
August 21, 1pm–2:30pm
I want to introduce the idea of vulnerability as strength through collage, because of a recent encounter where I became aware of the subconscious reactions of others and how that can impact BIPOC individuals, especially our youth. When we think of movies, most of the time there is a period where the main character will go through a set of trials and experience a sense of tribulation, before they bloom and become stronger. Vulnerable moments that may make us feel down, are actually something to embrace. I hope this workshop will teach the power of struggle and the feeling of success that can erupt once channelled in the right way. Collaging is a really beautiful and helpful way to understand visually, mentally and physically how to connect with a sense of disruption, beyond desired circumstances.
Viiein Dampier is a multi-disciplinary artist with a practice spanning photography, collage and poetry. Her work focuses on connectivity through various forms of vulnerability within communities, individuals and self-exploration.
ART FUTURES WITH ELISE NGO AND YVONNE TAN
August 28, 1pm–2:30pm
Art Futures will be a workshop that invites participants to envision the future of art in creative spaces. Through a collaborative process, we will explore possibilities for creating safe and inclusive spaces for youth and delve into themes of interest to the next generation of artists. Starting with a shared brainstorming session, participants will then engage in a hands-on artistic activity to share their unique vision for the future of arts in our communities. This workshop will serve as a starting point for a dialogue between our local budding artists and Union Gallery and reflect on how the gallery can best support our young communities.
Elise Ngo is a recent graduate of the Queen's University BFA program, working in paint, sculpture, and new media. She is currently in her final year of the Queen's Concurrent Education program completing her BEd, with plans to pursue a career in arts and education. Elise currently sits on the Board of Directors at Union Gallery as the President and was previously involved with the gallery as a volunteer throughout her undergrad which has provided many great learning opportunities. As an artist, Elise has exhibited at UG, the Studio at Duncan McArthur Hall, the Toronto Public Library, and festivals like the Juvenis festival and Scarborough StArt YPA.
Yvonne Tan is a fourth-year Queen’s University student working towards her BScH in Life Sciences with a minor in Global Development Studies. She has a passion for equity, advocacy, and education, in addition to a keen interest in art and the ways in which art can contribute to social justice. Yvonne has exhibited at the Kanata Civic Art Gallery and the Union Gallery Reflections Silent Auction. She has also been published in A Work in Progress, an Ottawa based art magazine, and The Homesick Project, a Madrid-based zine. Most recently, Yvonne received the Summer Company grant from the government of Ontario to start her art business and was highlighted as a “Success Story” for the province as a result of her commitment to social entrepreneurship.
BODY MOVEMENT WITH KEMI KING
September 4, 1pm–2:30pm
Body Movement will be a workshop that allows participants to ground themselves and be more comfortable within their bodies. Based in theatrical and devising practices, participants will learn exercises that give them an awareness of what they may be holding within their bodies, be it conscious or unconscious. We will explore embodiment, and what it can look like to harbour different energies, along with the strategies one can use to release and or be conscious of them. We will start with an offer of open and collective movement and build ourselves to a point of comfortability to focus on individual meditation.
Kemi King is a writer, director, performance artist and divisor. Some of her work has been produced by Obsidian, and Canadian Stage. She has created and performed works with Soulpepper Theatre and as a part of the Paprika Festival. She is one of the co-founders and artistic director of YIKES a Theatre Company founded in her second year of undergrad. Kemi is always excited for a learning opportunity with different types of artists and collaborators. Kemi is passionate about the arts and the way it can be used to help shape social consciousness.