Teaching the Urban Canvas Project.
20 year old Jane speaking at here first art show “The Manilla Paper Sessions” in 2010. 26 year old Jane speaking at the commencement ceremony for the UCPXI ceremony.
Six years ago, I started a Journey of healing and learning how to love myself. I began addressing my substance abuse problems and tried to cut negative things, habits, and environments out of my life. I was part of the Urban Canvas Project at SCYAP, where I started creating art again. That program really enforced the positive change I was seeking. It provided me with basic painting skills, amazing mentors, lots of great memories, and helped me discover my voice.
After completing the Urban Canvas Project, I began working part-time towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Saskatchewan. I continued working with SCYAP, starting with drop-in sessions and face painting, and worked my way up to public speaking, leading workshops, and co-ordinating the gallery. I was also given the opportunity to work for the University of Saskatchewan’s Community Engagement and Advancement office, where I came up with art-based ideas to help build community.
Working so many different positions furthered my growth and experience, but made school difficult at times. I would usually take only one or two classes per term, and I would occasionally take a term off to accommodate a heavy workload.
Five years after completing the Urban Canvas Project, I was given an opportunity to be one of the instructors. It was an absolutely amazing experience. I met a wonderful group and watched them grow in what felt like two weeks but was really eight months. Helping guide this group and pushing them to succeed encouraged me to challenge myself. I finally got my driver’s license last year and applied to be a transfer student at Concordia University in Montreal.
I was accepted as a transfer student at Concordia in the studio arts program. I begin this fall. Concordia University has a wonderful Fine Arts program with nine Art Departments and four research centres dedicated to the arts. I will be studying full-time for the next two years to complete my degree. I am equally frightened as I am excited. I feel it is time to share this online. I hope to have a large picnic in a park before I leave, and to see many of you before I am off to begin a new chapter.
SCYAP - Urban Canvas XI on maxTV Local on Demand Produced, Directed and Edited by - Trona Garvie
Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP) uses art to support youth in the community and create art projects within the community that not only help to make it more colourful and beautiful, but also deter graffiti. The Urban Canvas program was started in 2001 to help "at-risk" individuals develop life skills while using art as a connection. For 10 years, this program ran and was sadly cancelled. After 5 years, it was given a chance to start again. This documentary introduces the first group of students within the new program and some alumni from previous years.
