The first month of this residency has flown by. It has taken much effort and many hands, but the house is truly beginning to feel like a home. I was very blessed to have the assistance of my partner, parents, aunt and uncle, sister, and her boyfriend. It felt really special to have my loved ones show up for me in such an important way. I feel their touch on everything from the floor plan to the things on the shelves. It has been lovely to be reacquainted with my record collection after it being in storage for so many years. The soundtrack to my first month has included some great spins like The Tragically Hip’s Road Apples, David Vertesi’s Life Ghouls, and Carole King’s Tapestry. I look forward to producing blog posts based on how I connect with community members over a tactile, intentional spin of the record in days to come. I can’t wait for others to bring their precious albums over to share the back story behind their importance to them. I’ve already had good vinyl record sessions with my dad, Jeff, my partner, Faune, and my friend, Chanelle. Music is a means of connection that this residency space uniquely provides accommodation for.
Speaking of music, I have big plans for the studio space. Starting in January of 2025, I will be hosting live musical performances through Side Door. I am very excited to include this platform in my residency and to share creative space with musicians who have impacted my creative career by soundtracking it. I am currently in the midst of decking out the studio so it is art, music, and gathering friendly. I really want to push the bounds of Sidedoor with this collaboration. As part of the experience, I will be making unique poster prints for guests and musicians alike who join in the fun. I am even cooking up some other events like a drag show brunch series and seasonally-themed film screenings. It will be such a pleasure to put my hosting hat on and welcome everyone to the residency space to convene over brilliant creativity. So far, the space is semi-furnished thanks to the help of my family and my friend Chiara (portrait to come). I am hoping to have it all put together by the end of November.
I have completed 20 portraits in the first month of the residency and I am deep into developing the stories behind them. There has been a lot of behind the scenes work in the first month including partnership/collaboration meetings, connecting with potential guest musicians, and establishing crucial community relationships which will help inform the portraiture going forward.
It was incredible to spend time with community at the Our Neck of The Woods festival celebrating Maple Ridge’s 150th birthday. I was truly overwhelmed with emotion to see so many people show up to make it a huge celebration. The food was amazing, the music was incredible, and the experience itself still has me chanting “encore!” I am so excited to share that I will be doing a portraiture series over the next year which will highlight, interview, and celebrate all the people who worked and volunteered to celebrate our city. I am hoping to produce a vast spectrum of portraits so if you or anyone you know would like to share their experience at the festival, please email me with the button at the end of this post. I would be thrilled to draw your portrait and share my platform with you. Once I have gathered all the stories throughout the next year, I plan to put them together on a public mural somewhere in the city.
Maple Ridge wasn’t finished with the big events this month after Our Neck of The Woods. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation included a wonderful variety of food, music, and incredible artisanship. It was truly powerful to see the sea of orange shirts that Sunday. I am so looking forward to sharing future blog posts as I attend events hosted by the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation.
On a final note, I will leave you with a photo that I cherish of my sister Jenna coming to visit my house for the first time. She was delighted to see all the history in it from our childhood television, to Nana’s couch and even Oma’s dining table. It has been a very special thing to feel a generational familial touch on my home. I look forward to welcoming you to it as this residency unfolds and opportunities to convene are upon us.
Thanks for joining me.
With gratitude,
Alex
The artwork, photos, and accompanying blog post were created with love and consideration on the unceeded territories of the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation.