Wide Shot/Close Up was recently packed up as a new exhibit of aboriginal artwork is moving into Gallery A at Touchstones Nelson. During the last two weeks of the show, I facilitated workshops in partnership with Touchtones for youth ages 11-19. Dozens of youth from locals schools dove into the themes of the exhibit with great insight and bravery – participating in a variety of exercises that took a closer look at how we create first impressions, the creation of our own and others’ identity, and how it all relates to community building. With each of the five video installations as a starting point for these exercises, the youth offered fresh insight and perspectives on themselves as individuals and within a social group. It was a great way to end the three month run of the show – knowing that the young people who participated in these workshops can carry the original intentions of the project forward into their local community.

Watershed-Productions-workshop photo

One part art installation, one part social experiment and one part community development exercise, Wide Shot/Close Up was intended to expose and explore how individuals present their own identity to others and how this impacts the way community is built. It is meant to engage a larger audience about the questions of how people from various backgrounds and beliefs can connect in meaningful ways.

This project was funded by a major project grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and the The Mir Centre for Peace is partnering with Watershed Productions on content and delivery. The Presenting Sponsor is Kootenay Co-op.

Thanks to the following people for the support: Joy Barrett, Jane Byers, Jocelyn Carver, Jim Drake, Ian Johnston, Daryl Jolly, Gregory Mackenzie, Janet McCulloch, Miriam Needoba, Rachel Schmidt, Diane Walters, Bryan Webb, Rachel Yoder.

Big gratitude for the courage and open minds of these people for showing up to participate: Allison Alder, Jen Callow, Gisele Chouinard, Jennifer Craig, April Cuffy, Rick Galbraith, Dagmar Galt, Shane Hainsworth, Margaret Hornby, Lena Horswill, Helen Kissinger, Laran Kriese, Donna Macdonald, Chris MacMillan, Lil Maio, Lily Mayall, Kendall McPherson, Lily Miller, Gary Ramsbottom, Sacha Sebestyen, Shelley Stetsko, Isaac Thiessen, Max Thiessen, Brian Zacharias.