PLAYGROUND: a joyful happening
PLAYGROUND is an ever-unfolding happening centred around the downtown core of St. Catharines. It is designed to foster a return to joy through spontaneous acts of play; reconnecting participants with their child-selves and with each other. A series of instructional poems guide a scavenger journey through unique spaces and interactive installations, inviting participants to explore, create, reflect, and reimagine the public realm as our “collective home.” Together, we will rekindle a sense of awe and wonder, and reclaim our sense of belonging in the community.
PLAYGROUND was my project for the 2022 Nest Residency with Suitcase in Point Multi-Arts Company. Debuting for the In the Soil Arts Festival, PLAYGROUND was a part of the “Nest Fest” weerkend on July 16th, 2022 .
The Residency was a 6-month long program, where I got to learn and develop this project alongside 5 other local artists. Each month, we had a series of workshops to assist our professional development, and we each received individual mentorship to guide and support us in our creative processes.
And now for my long long list of gratitude:
To Deanna Jones - thank you for being such an incredible mentor. You are so fun and so inspiring and I am learning so much from you!
To Marcel Stewart and Kaylyn Valdez-Scott - you two have done so much for us as our leaders and facilitators. I am inspired by the way you think and create and lead. Thank you.
To Kyle Block and Steph Fournier from Mortise & Tenon Coffee - thank you for donating your exquisite beverages and your time to this project! I’m so excited. Y’all are the best of friends!
To Mike Enns and Katie Wood - thank you for lending me essential materials that only the coolest people like you would own, and for your advice along the way!
To Jen Feschuk from Fete Events - thank you also for lending me several essential materials! I really hit the jackpot getting connected with you!
To Caleb Ratzlaff - thanks for somehow trusting me to take over forest church one Sunday to commission help on making seed bombs, and for being a great person to bounce ideas off of!
To Kayla and Natalie from Heart and Soil Landscaping - thank you for being so down to donate wildflower seeds for those seed bombs, like, immediately after meeting me!
To Gregor A.K.A. Wandering Spirits - thank you for trusting me and letting me use your space! I am so pumped to see what it transforms into!
And to my fellow “Nesties”… you guys are simply the best! Thank you for inspiring me and being such generous minds along this journey. I am so grateful to be creating beside you & watch you grow!