Russell Photo Expo
Darren Pottie, Russell
Project Description & Goals
The 2023 Russell Photo Expo was a free outdoor photography exhibition and competition for both amateur and professional photographers. An independent jury selected winning images and then printed as large-scale public art. These outdoor public art photographs will be installed along a walking trail within the Russell/Embrun area for all to enjoy. The Expo is an opportunity for folks of all skill levels to engage in the arts, revitalize public space, and renew a sense of pride and inclusion within the rural suburban community.
Highlights, Sucesses, Challenges & Impacts
In September 2023, The Russell Photo Expo successfully showcased the incredibly talented emerging artists in the area through a photography exhibition and competition. Just under 50 participants submitted images they took within the township limits. From tourists to locals alike, the artists proposed images that celebrated the land, people, architecture, and events in Russel. Every photo was printed and exhibited during a revitalized arts festival: Autumn In The Country. Hundreds of people came for a Studio Tour, artist workshops, a battle of the brushes, and, of course, the Russell Photo Expo.
An independent jury selected the Best Portrait, Landscape, Youth, and Overall, which were then installed as large-scale public art on a shared-use recreational trail. Depending on their condition, the images will be displayed for 5-7 years, creating an outdoor photography gallery. These four selected images were held under blankets and officially unveiled to a small crowd who audibly gasped and clapped at the unveiling. The Mayor of Russell Township and several councillors also attended the unveiling.
The Ontario Community Changemakers’ funding helped immensely secure the infrastructure needed to transform this one-time event into an annual one. This included grid-walls and clips for the exhibition, print materials, website build and integration, digital storage, advertising, jury structure, and more. Specifically, Darren worked with Russell Township to create the necessary guidelines and procedures so that if Russell Township or he leaves the project, it can continue quite easily with a replacement, shares Changemaker Darren Pottie.
Following the event, Darren wrote an Ontario Arts Council grant in collaboration with Russell Township. They were successful, and the two organizations will jointly fund the next two years of the Russell Photo Expo. Their partnerships with Russell Agricultural Society, Russell Police Village Trust, and Conseil des Arts de Prescott-Russell will support them. Support from new partners at Le Chenail Centre Cultural and the Autumn In The Country event will further aid them.
Setting off on this project, I hoped to spark change within the Township of Russell in order to showcase the power of the arts and demonstrate how they can elevate our public spaces. I had hoped to use the results to spur council members to continue investing in the arts. Finally, I had hoped to better understand the interests and challenges of rural artists at the emerging stage of creating work. In these three ways I consider this project a success. The project has public and financial support, and will continue for years to come.
More than that, the project helped revitalize arts activities in the area, including the rebuilding of the Autumn In The Country arts festival and the new emerging relationships with arts organizations in the country and neighbouring cities.
Some data:
The impact of this project is hard to quantify due to the potential it has generated, the relationships that are budding, and the inspiration the installed artworks generate. Participants could submit their photos or visit the outdoor installation to experience their town in a way unlike any other. Below are just a few numbers:
- 47 people submitted to the Photo Expo. Ages range from 6 – 72 years old.
- 312 people (approximately counted by clicker) attended the exhibition day.
- 3 independent jury members were paid for their time to adjudicate the competition.
- 3 local businesses and benefited from purchasing materials.
- 4 organizations worked to partner with/promote the event.
- 120 people, on average, walk by the installed public art daily
The project saw:
- 1 Open Call for photographs: 4 months long
- 1 Full Day exhibition (11 AM – 7 PM)
- 5 year public art installation on a recreation trail
- 4 free talks at high schools regarding careers in the arts and city-building
What’s Next
Funding has been secured for two more years. By the end of 2025, 16 large-scale photographs will be along the outdoor trail, leading to one of the largest photo walks in Eastern Ontario. This will hopefully attract tourists and locals who will consider their role in the arts and ways they can engage with their town.
About Darren
Darren Pottie is a queer artist, writer and curator exploring the intersection between contemporary craft and lens-based media, a symbiosis between experimental digital media and process-based tactile practices. Recent curatorial projects include In Keeping With Myself with the Portrait Gallery of Canada and Descendance at the SPAO Centre. In 2023, Pottie was selected for an international curatorial residency in Dublin, Ireland, and has had works published by the City of Ottawa and PhotoEd magazine. He currently lives in Russell, ON on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.
#socialinclusion #civicengagement
ImmersiON
Hibo Isse, Toronto
Project Description & Goals
ImmersiON is a virtual reality-based tool that showcases select public spaces in Ontario. This project seeks to help individuals feel comfortable and prepared to navigate unfamiliar spaces.
Highlights, Successes, Challenges & Impacts
A significant highlight of Hibo Isse’s experience was having the opportunity to create a positive impact in her community by developing a resource that promotes the accessibility of public spaces. Another significant highlight was learning new skills that allowed her to step outside her comfort zone.
“The most significant success I experienced was creating virtual reality experiences. Developing the resource and having it work better than I had initially envisioned was a gratifying experience,” shares Hibo.
“The major challenge of my project was timing. Working with another organization required a lot of planning and consistent communication to stay on the same page. At times, conflicting schedules required flexibility and patience to ensure the project’s success,” she shares.
Hibo’s project did meet its stated goals differently than the changemaker had originally anticipated. Initially, the plan was to create a physical resource that would allow her to travel to several different sites. However, because she adjusted to offer a digital resource instead, she had to reduce the number of sites included in the project. She chose to profile the select sites more thoroughly. Another project goal that was adjusted was shifting from creating social stories to designing virtual reality-based tours. While these details changed the project’s output, the main goal of promoting the accessibility of public spaces was maintained.
The anecdotal response from community members has been overwhelmingly positive. From the feedback I have received, it is clear that the community appreciates having this resource to explore public spaces.
The changemaker’s most significant learning experiences throughout the year are project management and virtual reality. “In creating this project, I experienced all the steps involved in project management and acquired knowledge about virtual reality, which I was previously unfamiliar with. I have developed skills from this experience that will support my ability to expand my vision even further.”
“If allowed to do anything differently, I would have chosen to reduce the scope of my project from the beginning. My project was initially very ambitious, largely because it was originally supposed to be paper-based. In transitioning to a digital resource, I had to downscale the size of my project significantly to make it more feasible. Downsizing the scale of my project from the beginning would have saved time in the early stages of project development. However, I do not regret this, as it was a learning experience I will take with me in the future,” shares HIbo.
I have immense gratitude for the opportunity to be a member of the Ontario Community Changemakers. Every step of the project development process has been a valuable experience. 8 80 Cities has been a strong pillar to lean on and a source of great support. Creating something of this scale would have been a challenging process without the support of 8 80 Cities and Balsam Foundation, and for that, I am very grateful.
About Hibo
Hibo is an accessibility advocate dedicated to removing barriers of opportunity for people with varying abilities. Her personal and professional experiences have strengthened her interest in learning about how best to assist individuals with diverse needs in meeting their needs. Hibo believes in the power of education to foster understanding and acceptance. She is especially driven to support people with intellectual disabilities to live healthy and fulfilling lives. As an Ontario Community Changemaker, she seeks to continue her advocacy work in the hopes that this will help to challenge ableism and promote accessibility.
#socialinclusion
Together Is Better
Jennifer Singh, Toronto
Project Description & Goals
Together is Better, a project initiated by Jennifer Singh, founder of Gyal Dem Cycling Collective (GDCC), aims to foster a supportive community for self-identifying women in Toronto and the GTA. GDCC serves as a social space where women can unite, explore, and share their passion for cycling.
The primary objective of GDCC through the Together is Better project is to enhance confidence and offer education to empower and inspire their collective through organizing educational events that bring women together in a safe and fun environment.
Highlights, Successes, Challenges & Impacts
“Our collaboration with Bike Depot resulted in a significant increase in our followers. Partnering with other female-identifying groups, such as Saddle Sisters, expanded our reach and strengthened our community ties. We teamed up with Peppermint, a women’s cycling apparel brand, to provide our collective with valuable insights on cycling gear, hygiene, and nutrition. A representative from Peppermint engaged directly with our collective, offering product samples and answering individual questions,” shares Jennifer when reflecting on her project.
These partnerships were incredibly successful, leading to a gain of over 1,000 Instagram followers and 150 Strava followers.
GDCC’s goal with this project was to encourage and inspire their community by hosting educational events focused on cycling topics in a safe and enjoyable space. Building confidence and providing education is central to GDCC’s mission, and, as with all our rides, the vibes come for free.
“With the grant we were given, we could equip our riders with helmets, tools, lights, and safety accessories, helping them feel confident on their bikes. Additionally, the grant allowed us to host larger events in collaboration with a local bike shop, Bike Depot, as we saw a greater number of riders attending these events,” she adds.
We successfully achieved our goal by continuing to host educational events, ensuring that our members felt confident riding their bikes in Toronto. Furthermore, we saw a significant increase in ridership over the year, welcoming newcomers of all backgrounds to join and become part of a like-minded community.
About the impact of the project, Jennifer said it had a good effect on the community, fostering a sense of inclusivity and empowerment among fem-identifying cyclists. Through their initiatives, they were able to:
- Engage with over 100 community members, many new to cycling or had limited experience.
- Host 3 educational events covering bike maintenance, safe riding practices, and cycling routes in Toronto.
- Organized two community fridge rides in various neighbourhoods, donating food to the communities in need.
- Conduct two collaborative events with Bike Depot, where riders received bike maintenance workshops.
These initiatives not only increased the confidence and knowledge of our participants but also strengthened the sense of community among Toronto cyclists. They also saw a noticeable increase in regular ridership, indicating a lasting impact on the community’s cycling culture.
Personally, I learned the immense power of community and collaboration. Bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences enriched our project and led to innovative solutions and a stronger sense of unity. I also discovered the importance of persistence and adaptability; challenges inevitably arose, but finding creative ways to overcome them was key to our success.
About the project, Jennifer learned that providing the right resources and education can significantly boost confidence and participation. Equipping riders with safety gear and partnering with local businesses not only enhanced their events but also reinforced the importance of community support. Moreover, she realized that fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment encourages more people to get involved and stay engaged, ultimately leading to a more vibrant and resilient community.
“If I could do anything differently, I would focus on building partnerships with a broader range of local businesses and organizations earlier in the project. This could enhance our reach and provide more diverse opportunities and support for our participants,” she reflects.
The best part of being a changemaker was witnessing the positive impact we had on our community. Seeing individuals gain confidence, develop new skills, and connect with others through our initiatives was incredibly rewarding. Knowing that our efforts not only educated and inspired but also fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment within the community made all the hard work worthwhile. The sense of fulfillment from creating a supportive and inclusive environment, where everyone felt valued and encouraged, was truly the most gratifying aspect of being a changemaker.
Learn more about the project: Strava & Instagram
About Jennifer
Jennifer Singh is an energetic woman of colour living in the heart of downtown Toronto. She works full-time in recruitment and human resources, and in her free time, she is passionate about cycling with her friends. Cycling has become a centrepiece of her life through community involvement and as a daily commuter on bike share. Gyaldem Cycling Collective’s (GDCC) focus is encouraging and inspiring all women to ride and explore Toronto and the GTA.
#socialinclusion
Redefining Success
Kamilah Francis, Sudbury
Project Description & Goals
Future North is Redefining Success for youth 15-30 years old. Youth and young adults are pressured to pursue education and achieve successful careers. But what is considered successful? Is there a “right” path to achieving success? Through engaging speaking and networking events targeting various populations (BIPOC youth, youth with disabilities, youth in school, and youth going right into the workforce), Future North will demonstrate to youth that the journey to success is instead a journey in success, where the path is not defined, nor linear, but success is achieved at various points along the journey.
Highlights, Successes, Challenges & Impacts
For Kamilah Francis, being part of #OCChangemakers has been a privilege. “Sparking conversations in our community with youth around challenging the definition of success and creating spaces to have these conversations. I made invaluable partnerships and gained recognition through this program as a leader for change in my community.”
One of the most significant highlights for the changemaker was being interviewed on CBC Radio in English, Radio Canada in French, and CTV news about this project, making connections and friends from various sectors.
One of the biggest challenges the project faced during its implementation year was not having enough funding; the project grew more extensive than expected quickly, so it became challenging to manage, among other commitments.
The project exceeded its goals in some areas. Although it did not reach 1,000 youth as initially planned, it still reached 250 youth and made far more partnerships than originally anticipated. The community also supported the project in terms of sponsorship dollars.
The most significant impact of Redefining Success is that over 250 youth were engaged, and over 20 partnerships were formed through the project. “We had 13 planning committee members, 19 keynote speakers, and 14 events,” proudly shares Kamilah.
We learned that bigger isn’t always better. Some of our most successful events, were ones that took place in small, intimate settings, such as coffee shops.
Reflecting on opportunities to address change, Kamilah shares that if the project had spread out the events over a longer period, they would have had more lead time for planning.
The best part of being a changemaker was connecting with other changemakers and getting community recognition for the project.
About Kamilah
Kamilah is a first-generation university graduate who showed her five siblings that post-secondary education was not out of reach despite the barriers they faced. Her BSc (Hons) in Behavioural Neuroscience initially propelled her to work in the field of brain injury, where she focused on advocacy, identifying and breaking down systemic barriers, resource navigation, and education. Kamilah is a change agent and visionary with a proven track record of designing and implementing highly effective initiatives. She is passionate about allying with marginalized populations and amplifying their voices. She interacts with all individuals through a lens of empathy and equity.
Video:
Relevant Links:
Redefining Success Event Analytics
Social Media page: @redefsuccess.redeflesucces
Website: https://futurenorth.ca/redefining-success/
#socialinclusion