Community Wall Jam!
Project Creator & Administrator, Head of Chezzetcook, NS, 2023.
Sponsored by Mountain Jiu-Jitsu Porters Lake.
In 2023, the "Community Wall Jam!" took place in Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, with the support of Mountain Jiu-Jitsu Porters Lake. This initiative was designed to foster community engagement through the medium of mural art, highlighting its significance as a tool for social cohesion and artistic expression.
The project adopted a participatory model, encouraging all members of the community to actively contribute to the mural’s design and execution. This inclusive approach not only ensured a diverse range of perspectives but also facilitated meaningful dialogue among community members.
The resulting mural and concurrent triptych painting emerged as a vibrant and dynamic representation of the community's collective voice. This experience underscored the vital role that community-based art initiatives play in promoting social interaction, cultural exchange, and a sense of belonging, ultimately enriching the community's cultural landscape.
By engaging in this mural initiative, participants were able to reflect on their own artistic contributions while also experiencing the diverse aesthetic expressions of their peers. This collaborative effort not only beautified the physical environment but also strengthened social ties within the community, illustrating the profound impact of art as a catalyst for community development and engagement.
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Performative Arts Communication
Project Creator & Administrator, NSCAD University, Artist for a Day 2024, Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS:
As the Project Creator and Administrator for "Performative Arts Communication," funded by NSCAD and part of the Artist for a Day 2024 initiative in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia, I aimed to explore how art can enhance community engagement. Our main goal was to foster communication skills within the community by utilizing art as a means for meaningful dialogue.
I assembled a team of six Master of Fine Arts (MFA) volunteers, including Luke Pardy, Melanie Barnett, Gyiggy Kwame Brobbey, Gracia Isabel Gómez Cantoya, Quinn O'Connor, and myself, each contributing unique skills. Together, we navigated the challenges of a limited budget, devising innovative strategies to ensure impactful community interactions.
On May 11th, 2024, we hosted an interactive event where participants could share their experiences with art. The open-ended format encouraged vibrant conversations, highlighting art's role in fostering empathy and understanding.
This collaborative process culminated in several creative works, reflecting the insights gained from our discussions. These pieces underscore art's potential as both an aesthetic practice and a crucial communication tool. Our initiative demonstrated how art can transform discourse, cultivate empathy, and strengthen social bonds, contributing to the wider conversation on participatory arts and societal engagement.