elemental unravelling, our very first juried art exhibit, is showing at the Baggage Building Arts Centre from November 2-30th, 2021. Curated by Stacey Hare Hodgins, this dynamic exhibit celebrates the work of sixteen artists and makers who self-identify as having lived experience with mental health and/or addiction.

The Collective has been anticipating this exhibition for quite some time - as we were about to host the event over a year ago, when it was delayed due to the pandemic. Creatively directing and adapting the project has been complicated since, and more labour intensive than ever imagined, so it feels amazing to see it all come together!

I am grateful to have recently read and been inspired by Tangled Art + Disability’s show, Undeliverable, which centres curation as care.

Planning to view elemental unravelling as soon as possible? Please know that the labels and signage may not be on display just yet, as it has been challenging to meet the demands of such a project. Amidst these pandemic shifts, I am actively trying to slow down and practice being gentler, as I consider the expectations I and the systems I work within impose on myself and others. Having worked previously at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, I am all too aware of the height artworks should be and all that jazz - which does not make it easy to let go of these details/expectations for opening week. (THANK YOU to Nadia Kurd and Meaghan Eley for teaching me how to format artwork labels for print; I learned many helpful skills while working at the Gallery!)

I share how much effort is being put into this show in the spirit of transparency and experiential learning, and I am grateful to be Creative Director. In fact, sharing these kinds of details (that typically go unmentioned) help to create an oral memory that will come in handy for future projects!

Aside from the addition of pandemic-related tasks, I have intentionally taken on more of a workload to serve the Collective more fully — in effort to make meaningful experiences and connections. I am thrilled to be working away on an online presentation of the exhibition for you all to enjoy — which will be featured on our website for three months — with details to be announced in the future. And, I am designing a publication featuring the works and exhibiting artists, and will be inviting you all to celebrate this achievement on November 25th!

Further details about the online presentation and complementary celebration forthcoming.

For more info, including the list of exhibiting artists, Covid-19 safety measures, and to RSVP for a viewing, visit the event page on our website: http://www.mindfulmakers.org/workshops/events/juried-show

Please note: The building is not open for drop-in gallery visits at this time.

Made possible with funding from the Ontario Arts Council.