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About the Hear/d Residency Program Message from Director of Leadership & Governance Messages from Residency Mentors Still life with dishes — Carmen Belanger Detached — Ebony Davis Bag of Bones — Katelyn Liakos Tambores del Norte — Sergio Garcia Palma The perpetual state of repair — Lily Pavle Gang’s All Here — Jenny Stead Precisely empty enough — Jasmine Whiteley-Steel Si sólo pudiera regresar a mi nombre — David Videla Mental Health & Addictions Emergency Numbers & Resources (Calgary Area)
what is it? The ACADSA Hear/d Residency (previously known as the AiR “Artists in Residence” Program) is a pilot project developed by the ACAD Students’ Association. The residency has its own central theme of resilience, relating to the journey of mental health issues currently experienced by many post-secondary students. Drawing on this theme, the Hear/d Residency program invites participants to explore concerns that are affecting post-secondary students in a creative and innovative way. The Hear/d Residency asks students to collaborate on the research, development, creation and curation of an exhibition that allows our community to safely explore these themes while offering hands-on experiences that directly relate to the fields of art + design. Through group discussions, reflection, individual studio time, critiques, and workshops this residency will provide a platform for a diversity of creative activity that aims to raise awareness of the issues that are affecting the health and well-being of post-secondary students, while also connecting members from different disciplines in the college. Artists working across all mediums who share a deep interest in these issues are invited to gather, brainstorm and create.
what is resilience? “Being in good health means more than feeling physically well; it also means feeling mentally well. Today, we are more aware of how our mental and physical health affect each other. Setting aside time to focus on mental health is important – to you and those who care about you. Life is full of change, risks and challenges. Good mental or emotional health helps us find our balance and stay in control, even during turbulent times.” – Canadian Mental Health Association (2017)
how is it funded? The ACADSA Hear/d Residency program was initially supported by a 4-year provincial wide initiative, which was funded by the Alberta Campus Mental Health Innovation (ACMHI) fund. Students’ Associations across Alberta held the opportunity, through the Alberta Students’ Executive Council, a provincial lobby group, to apply for funding in order to support mental health initiatives on campus. Each association is asked to consider the uniqueness and strengths of their campus when applying for ACMHI funding and to create a program that supports and connects with their students’ interests. As of 2017, the Hear/d Residency program is dually supported by ACADSA and the Post-Secondary Student Mental Health Grant.
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Congratulations to the artists and mentors of the Hear/d Residency Program. I want to acknowledge the commitment it takes to express issues related to mental illness. It requires a tremendous amount of vulnerability and to being open to giving voice to one’s struggles. As a student, it’s empowering to see this exhibition, in witnessing our peers come together and connect with resilience to share their stories! Post-secondary learning demands a lot of energy and attention from us. It’s not an easy thing to ask for help along the way. With programs in place like the Hear/d Residency, we are able to give voice to conflict. We continue to grow and foster a safe environment for mentorship and to bring students together from different disciplines within ACAD. This residency is a platform for students to be pro-social and to engage in an environment of belonging. Considering this: by the midst of our artistic careers, about 50% of our population will have or have had mental illness. And only 1 out of 5 young people who need mental health services will receive them (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2018). We continue to bring awareness to mental health through Hear/d and address certain stigmas that are within our community. I am so pleased that this is a continued initiative within ACADSA and our student body. I look forward to our future with optimism, to our growth and persistent awareness about mental health. Sincerely,
Simone Saunders
Director of Leadership and Governance Alberta College of Art + Design Students’ Association
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I have been involved with the Hear/d Residency program since 2017. First as a participant, and in later as a mentor. This program is a one of a kind in Canada. The aspects that make me so excited to be involved in this residency are, the fierce and talented group of students that always apply to be part of the program. Secondly, it is the genuine commitment by ACADSA to support students to thrive in their post secondary education. Particularly working with Jeannie Gorrie, ACADSA’S Health + Wellness Program Manager has been inspiring as I have seen the level of passion and commitment she has for this program, the attention to detail and the breath of aspects explored makes it a very well rounded experience for all of us. This residency’s group becomes a life line not only for students but for mentors alike. Every residency that I have been part of, I walked out with a renewed commitment to support fellow artists that are like me exploring their mental health through art and redefining what it means to be a resilient person. In this residency there is a no judgement policy. It is a supportive space for students to connect with one another and together explore what it means to be resilient. Friendships are formed based on trust and collective vulnerability. What I love about this residency is that it expects high standards of work ethic, accountability and commitment to your peers at the same time that is a nurturing space. That is what it makes it very successful in my opinion. I have learned that even in the deepest of my stress or inner struggles I need to be accountable to my peers and most importantly to myself. Students come from different departments and with very different art practices. Friendships develop in this setting allowing a cross pollination of ideas and material explorations. All of the students in this residency pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone. They all explored different mediums not traditionally associated with their university major. As a mentor seeing this deep exploration and fierce determination inspired me to also stepping outside of my comfort zone, to develop skills I was afraid to tackle before the residency. This year we had the privilege of having Dick Averns as our guest speaker and he was a fountain of information and support. I was also privileged to co mentor with Keiran Foster who brought such a dynamic and fun attitude to the residency. I would not have asked for a better partner. We developed a subtle way of communicating that felt so at ease. I have gained new friends and so much strength and wisdom from my peers and for that I will be forever thankful.
Rocio Graham
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While attending Alberta College of Art and Design over the past 4 years, I have felt a large weight on my chest as I navigated the mental health landscape. Though I have always known that I struggled with severe anxiety, I was not open about those struggles, and felt embarrassment when the symptoms of those obstacles revealed themselves to the outside world. Being a student amplified those struggles, but I am incredibly grateful to ACADSA for the creation of a wonderful program to help end the stigma surrounding mental health while also creating a safe space for students to connect and explore their own struggles through art and conversation. After participating in the ACADSA Hear/d Residency last year as an artist, I was incredibly excited to be chosen as a Mentor this year.Though I found my time in the residency incredibly fulfilling, returning to mentor was an amazing and meaningful experience. I am happy I was given the opportunity to work with other students to explore mental health in a safe and secure environment, and to share my passion for ending the stigma about mental health. Working with Rocio, my fellow mentor, allowed me to also have a support system throughout the residency. Both Rocio and I deal with differing struggles within the landscape of mental health, and I believe that we complimented each other nicely, while also providing a large range of experience, knowledge and support to the students within the residency. I also would like to acknowledge Jeannie Gorrie, the ACADSA Health and Wellness Program Manager, who is incredibly passionate about supporting students in ACAD, and worked to create this wonderful opportunity for them. Last I would like to thank the incredible artists and participants in this semester’s residency. I watched each of them work through struggles with their work, and engage in conversation surrounding their own mental health. Each artist opened up throughout the semester, and grew in understanding of their own mental health, and the struggles of others. Every artist that participated this semester created detailed and meaningful work, that spoke not only to myself and Rocio, but to the entire Calgary community that was able to view the work. Being in this residency takes courage, and confronting our own mental health can prove challenging, so to all the residents this semester, thank you for making it so meaningful.
Keiran Foster
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Carmen Belanger oil, acrylic, plywood
Did you leave some dishes on the counter this morning? Do they pile up for a while before you deal with them? Do you wash them or put them in the dishwasher right away? How many dishes do you use when you’re busy? How many times have you had take-out this week? This painting coincides with my current body of work exploring the rituals of the everyday. Dishes are so handy when they are clean and ready for use. Cleaning dishes can be meditative, but more often than not they pile up and become a burden and source of anxiety. I have become particularly aware of the relationship we have with dishes and how they affect our mood on a daily basis. I am curious about the interplay of our habits, living conditions and mental health. This pile of dirty dishes makes me nostalgic. It is from a family photo album. On the back, in my mom’s handwriting with a bic pen, is documented: 1991, microwave 10 year anniversary. And it’s funny because you can’t see the microwave, but it’s there behind the pile of dishes. My parents think they are pretty funny. And somehow it’s more comfortable for me to talk about mental health with a bit of humour. A big painting of a pile of dishes! How ridiculous! But it is a symbol—my anxiety objectified and I am exhausted by feeling overwhelmed by the small things.
response statement The invitation to explore resilience enabled me to access a certain vulnerability, to quietly peel back a facade exposing my private world in a safe environment. My personal experience with mental illness has been quite isolating. I think the reason for this stems from a fear to reach out and perhaps not wanting to acknowledge a struggle. My time in the Hear/d Residency helped me navigate through these emotions. I am thankful for the supportive group of participants and mentors who unapologetically shared their day-to-day obstacles and successes. Working on my project for this residency has been a highlight of the semester. Even when I was feeling particularly low, I was motivated to see the project through.The best part of the residency was working through challenges with regular encouragement. I think completing a thing gives a certain sense of accomplishment, a bit of confidence, and time to reflect on how to maintain a better headspace.
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Ebony Davis video There is no control when it comes to living with mental illness, specifically with having both anxiety and depression in my case. Living life in a hazy state, feeling detached and disconnected from my own mind and body. Often times my mind feels like an old tv screen stuck in a static state with constant buzzing. This piece depicts a photographic self-portrait of myself with a blank stare on a continuous loop of glitches, static and distortion one would see on an old tv monitor. Accompanied by the sound of static emitting from a set of headphones. The overall theme of static and detachment is a representation of how I experience everyday life with mental illness. I often have the overall sensation of what static sounds like in my head, almost as if my brain is stuck in this static state, a numbing buzz. The old tv is a representation of my childhood, much of which I have little to no recollection of. Having to deal with depression and anxiety from such a young age I’ve had to grow up very quickly. Most of what I can recall from my childhood are the countless therapy sessions, doctors’ visits, psychologist appointments and drug trials of several varieties of antianxiety and antidepressant medication. Mental illness does not come with a warning sign, it happens all at once and it takes over your entire body and state of mind. But not all days are bad, some are better than others. I’ve had to learn to take it day by day. Even hour by hour.
response statement Throughout the Hear/d Residency program I was challenged to open up about my mental health and well-being among my fellow peers and community of the Alberta College or Art and Design. This program provided me a safe and nonjudgmental environment which allowed me to communicate my struggles with depression and anxiety, as well as allowing me to face other health issues I haven’t previously acknowledged, including OCD and physical pain. I have dealt with depression and anxiety from a young age, the majority of my childhood consisted of countless doctors’ visits, phycologist appointments and therapy sessions. All of which have forced me to grow up very quickly. I’ve always been fairly open with the struggles that mental illness brings me, because I believe in having an open conversation regarding these struggles helps destigmatizes mental illness and help those who have difficulties accepting their mental illness create an open conversation with the people around them. The residency has given me the opportunity to work alongside like-minded creative individuals who like me must live life through the obstacles mental illness throws at us. The Hear/d Residency pushed me to step outside my creative practice of photography to another medium I would have never thought of exploring outside the residence. I am very thankful that I was given the opportunity to participate in the Hear/d Residency at ACAD. I believe this is a very important program to offer, as it gives the opportunity for individuals to create and communicate everything regarding their mental health and well-being.
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Katelyn Liakos watercolors
Bag of Bones is a poem broken up into six illustrations. The poem reflects my relationship with anxiety and depression and the chronic pain it causes. Inspired by the writings on Donna Haraway, I give my body its persona, a creature that has been with me my whole life, a creature of love and pain but my body nonetheless.
response statement The Hear/d Residency has been a fantastic experience for me.The Hear/d Residency creates a safe and encouraging environment for me to explore my mental illness and how it relates to my arts and the progress of making my art. I am grateful for the experience the Hear/d Residency has given me and I know I will use in my practice.
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Sergio Garcia Palma sound piece and handmade campana de san millan. Performance with handmade Campana de San Millan, instrument originally from Venezuela.
The artist takes sounds recorded from natural and urban areas around the city of Calgary and modifies them in order to create a beat that resembles Venezuelan rhythms of Tambores de San Millan. The artist has then replaced the audio of the video documentation with the previously manipulated environmental audio. Campana de San Millan is the lead instrument used as the main melodic component of the percussion based rhythm of tambores, often played in the state of Carabobo in Venezuela. State from which the artist is originally from.
response statement The Hear/d Residency provided me with the chance to connect with a unique group of individuals. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect and collaborate with one of my peers. It allowed me to open up and explore a different perspective, which I may not have had with regular classes. The feedback and experimentation that accompanied this partnership was crucial in developing both pieces.Without this opportunity, my piece would not have been able to reach anywhere near it’s full potential, and would lack the depth that was created. I am also grateful for the platform that was provided to showcase the pieces. It is fulfilling to be able to put finished work in the context of a show, as it fosters the beginnings of a professional career.
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Lily Pavle textiles The act of sewing is one of both creation and restoration; evoking ideas of construction, productivity, and accomplishment, as well as repair, improvement, and correction. To sew with proper technique, using compatible materials and appropriate methods, will result in a durable and immaculate commodity. However, to sew poorly will produce an object that is fragile and likely to rapidly deteriorate. That being said, with instruction, acquiring the skills to sew effectively is relatively accessible. Like sewing, navigating the obstacles we encounter in life, particularly in managing mental health, can be achieved successfully with proper technique. Contrarily, unlike sewing, recovery in mental health is rarely straightforward in its solutions, linear in its process, or even possible to fully complete. To that end, I chose to construct a sewn piece that would reflect my personal progression of mental health through fabric choice, stitching method, and varying tensions. The mending of different aspects of my life has, at times, been successful and kept strong, while other areas remain weak and require work, and still others have been unnecessarily hyper focused upon. Fortuitously, the beauty in the big fucking mess of it all is the potential to continue expanding my knowledge and experiences to aid in my ability to cultivate my own resilience.
response statement I have spent years keeping quiet about the state of my mental health with a myriad of excuses as to why. I don’t want anyone to worry about me, I don’t want to seem desperate for attention, I don’t want to know if this is normal, I don’t deserve to get better, I don’t think it’s bad enough to matter. I neglected to apply to the Hear/d Residency several times due to the latter reason especially, but in retrospect I am incredibly grateful that I finally did. Although my work has touched on mental health in the past, I wanted to seize the opportunity to delve further into my experiences without judgment. I imagined that my work would dredge up some of the grittier details I’ve yet to talk about; and although that didn’t quite pan out, the experience of creating my piece was inspiring, cathartic, and enjoyable regardless. Having the space to speak honestly about how I’ve been doing and knowing that I would be listened to was liberating, and though I now recognize that I am still in the beginning stages of allowing myself to fully open up, I already find myself speaking more candidly about my mental health with those that I trust. With graduation rapidly approaching I have been faced with an abundance of decisions regarding who I want to be as an artist. Much of the work I have made over this semester has left me disappointed, but the freedom of this residency has emboldened me to focus on working from the heart and reminded me that I am primarily an artist before I am my major. I am left feeling encouraged to keep making art I am genuinely excited about, regardless of subject, medium, or public opinion.
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Jenny Stead painting
Gang’s All Here is a class picture of sorts. Throughout the Hear/d Residency, old friends and all too familiar foes joined with me, past, present and future. I cut away, painted over and scribbled on to my liking, giving myself the room to change the painting each day as I saw fit. Over time what became most important to me in this piece was allowing myself to be playful, letting go and honouring all the figures that showed up. My painting process mirrors my struggle with the unpredictability of autoimmune disease, depression and social anxiety. Everyday is different for me and much like my figures, how I am able to show up changes. Resilience to me means honouring how I am feeling each day and trying to be kind to myself in the process.
response statement I am so glad I was able to participate in the Hear/d Residency, it has been a goal of mine to apply since learning about it last year and something I really had to work myself up to. My mental health has been something I have struggled with for a long time and opening up to my peers, most of whom I had never met before was difficult at first but was a positive release. It made me realize how many people around me are also struggling with their mental health. I really valued having a safe space for myself and my peers to open up about our experiences and it made me aware of how important it is to not feel alone. I think the Hear/d Residency program is one of my most valuable experiences I have had here at ACAD. It was not only a safe space to talk about mental health but also allowed me the freedom to create whatever I wanted in regard to my own experience of resilience. This impacted my painting practice greatly, I found my voice again. I am so grateful to the mentors and the other participants for creating such a positive experience.
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Jasmine Whiteley-Steel hair, resin, bathroom tiling, light box, photography Take the hair Give it a surface to live on Play with the hair Draw with the hair Allow yourself to be with your body, a concept of your death, a concept of your existence
response statement Through this residency I got to focus in on a project based around mental health struggles and wellness in my own way and have the opportunity to exhibit it. Using hair, as a medium that moves very quickly from typical association with beauty to the abject I am interested in looking into a discussion concerning the ways in which we view and value things. The abject notion of hair post-head [or post body for that matter], displayed as art brings an aesthetic quality to the imagery that may allow for people to find it approachable or disgust cycling into self awareness. Perhaps the elongated time spent with the discomfort allows us to notice beauty or have intrigue with it, and within that center ourselves. The documentation of my hair over time brought all together thus far, here, plays with notions of obsession, and compiled together perhaps implies a certain anxiety reflected from me and/or projected by the viewer in experiencing disgust with the entangled imagery. There is also anxiety associated with beauty standards, specifically for queer, female and femme identities occurs within expectations of gender, and expectations of things to be hidden, “meant to be private�. I also wish to bring attention to paying heed to our physical bodily conditions that may be associated with mental health which acknowledges resiliency and pushes for self awareness and acknowledgement.
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David Videla video documentation of performance; sculptural remnant of performance Manta is a waxed, lightweight cotton from Mexico, traditionally used to make clothing. Due to its waxiness, the fabric has the ability to hold the shape of objects when it becomes wet. The manta is attempting to mimic or replicate a form, but the limitations of the material result only in an incomplete and fragile imitation. What remains is a ghost; nothing more than an after-image. Pero no puedo respirar, no puedo hacerlo. No puedo regresar a mi nombre. Postscript: While there is a sculptural element to this piece, a remnant documenting the performance and the failure of the material to mold to the body, the object was unfortunately discarded. This was likely due to the sculpture’s appearance and placement within the exhibition space, half-in and half-out, tucked away in a corner so as not to draw attention to itself, and not necessarily presenting itself aesthetically as an art object. But in a funny way, perhaps this disappearance strengthens the work, and highlights the ideas of transience and liminality within the performance. I can’t quite understand it yet, but this “death” brings a certain peace, and draws the performative life of the object to a close. It could be argued that the manta resisted molding to my form, and found a way to escape the ideas I had imposed on it in light of this failure by escaping the exhibit space itself. No longer a document of my performance, the object is free to seek out a new life and purpose, and wherever it may be, I wish the sculpture well.
response statement I think it’s far easier to acknowledge that one has issues with mental health, than it is to actually do something about it.Whether that takes the form of therapy, medication, self-care, or other mechanisms, there is still a stigma around these issues and awareness of them which might prevent someone from taking the necessary steps to maintain their mental health. In general, my go-to has been unhealthy coping mechanisms, which only worsens the issues I’m trying to ignore. Through the residency, I think I’ve found a certain balance. The environment created by the residency was one of open support and communication, which has allowed me to rely on other support systems in my life and seek healthy methods of selfcare in an emotionally honest way. I know that I still have work to do, and as detachment allows me to speak about my mental health, I’m not revealing any specifics of my situation. However, I feel confident moving forward that this will change, thanks to the tools I’ve learned to use by taking part in this residency.
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Crisis Centres/Hotlines Police Phone: 403-266-1234 (non-emergency) 911 (emergency)
Distress Centre Calgary
Community Resources (continued) Access Mental Health Phone: 403-943-1500 OR 1-844-943-1500 (Toll free)
Phone: 403-266-4357
Online Resources
Resources on the ACAD campus
Native Counselling Services Of Alberta
Campus Counselling Centre
www.ncsa.ca/contact/
HelpGuide.org
Location: Main Mall Website: acad.ca/current-students/health-and-wellness Email: counselling@acad.ca Phone: 403.284.7666 (Counsellor) 403.338.5594 (ACAD counselling intern)
www.helpguide.org
Campus Security Phone: 403-284-7672/403-680-1451
acad.ca/current-students/health-and-wellness/stayingwell/mental-health-resources
Health Centre (SAIT Health Services)
Distress Centre Calgary
Address: SAIT CAMPUS (R41, Senator Burns Building) Phone: 403.284.8666
Calgary Mental Health Association www.cmha.ca
ACAD Resources
www.distresscentre.com
Community Resources Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA) Phone: 1-877-237-5888 (Toll free)
Calgary Counselling Centre Phone: 403-691-5991
The Eastside Family Centre Phone: 403-299-9696
Catalogue Acknowledgements Photography by Haley Eyre Cover & Page Illustrations by Charlee Witschi Layout by Kiah Gutowski
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