While the 2023 season may have come to a close, it is important to look back on the amazing projects and groups that met throughout the fall. After a stunning (and in person!) showcase in June, see more here, we had 4 fantastic groups meeting at sites across the city.

At the Roundhouse Sound and Song with Leah Abramson returned to in person and moved on to a focus on song writing where each participant not only learned about the mechanics of songs, chords, and writing lyrics, but also supported each other in the process of crafting their own individual songs.

Over at Ray Cam, Jim Sands continued to lead his group in their story sharing circle with impressive community building and attendance. Featured in the Heart of the City Festival, this group opened up their doors to people of all ages, and welcomed special guest storyteller Wong Wing-Siu to share a family story and led the group to an intimate conversation of love and family.

At Strathcona, Moving Stories with Veronica Berezowsky also made the transition from virtual programming in collaboration with UBC Learning Exchange back to in person at the Strathcona Community Centre and found a new audience and inspiration within the Tai Chi community at Strathcona.

Creativity for Connection with Keely O’Brien at Carnegie continues to be held via conference calls and continues to produce incredible works of art. This December the group made a collective holiday card (see below) and in the new year they started with an in-person Dim Sum lunch to all meet in person, put a face to the voices of the class that they have come to know over the years and share some of their incredible art works with each other.

Stay tuned for updates on 2024 programming, new sites and projects, and join us for our 18th Showcase on May 31st 2024 at the Roundhouse!

Arts & Health, in partnership with Mount Pleasant Community Centre, seeks an Indigenous artist interested in facilitating community-engaged arts practices with seniors and Indigenous Elders. For full details or to apply, download the application: Arts & Health Call for Indigenous Artist Fall 2023 Mount Pleasant

Applications deadline has been extended to October 1st, 2023. Please reach out with any questions.

In early 2020, members of the Tsleil-Waututh Elders Arts group and local artists embarked on a collaborative process to explore weaving, puppetry and movement, with the intention of creating a live performance to be showcased at the Roundhouse in June 2020.

“We created paper puppets and made them dance and fly; we wove puppet-sized paper regalia; we built a cardboard canoe and painted a cardboard background of deep forest green trees and a foreground of blue ocean waves, and we cut out a whole school of sparkling fish. But then the pandemic hit and everything came to a screeching halt. Lives were changed and sadly lives were lost. Three years later, in an effort to honour the journey that was started, we gathered again to try and weave all the pieces back together, while acknowledging the losses and adding new threads and new voices. This short video honours all those who paddled together on this beautiful and challenging journey, and everyone who touched the project, and each other, along the way.”

Created by:

Participants: Rosie Dapp, Terry Francis, Desiree George, Margaret George, Norman George, Barb O’Neil, Doreen Parnell, Debbie Sisson, Dennis Sisson, Sandra Sisson, Uncle Spin, Alice Thomas, Connie Thomas, Lorelei Thomas, Luke Thomas, Gail Thomas Powers, Donald Williams, Phillip Williams

Artists: Marcie Baker and Sharon Bayly with Robbie George and lisa g nielsen. Thank you to Michelle Olson.

Elders Activity Coordinator: Calvin Hunt

Arts & Health Coordinator: Caroline Liffmann