CVAG Window + Plaza Media Gallery | Hub | South Gallery |
Gather⋮Place | George Sawchuk Gallery
SAFE | Holding space for lived experiences and safer ways of being amidst the Toxic Drug Poisoning Crisis:
This exhibition explores the meaning of ‘safe’ as understood by participants and staff of AVI Health and Community Services’ Prescribed Safe Supply program.
Over the past year and a half, the Walk With Me research and social action team has been working with Prescribed Safe Supply Program participants and staff in a community-engaged research project designed to uncover the human dimensions of the toxic drug crisis and potential solutions. We’ve shared food, conversation and art practices (through workshops led by Montreal artists Patrick Dionne and Miki Gingras), and asked what it means for participants to feel ‘safe’. Along the way, we were gifted powerful images and words that speak to the toxic drug crisis and its impacts, and illuminate perspectives of people not often seen or heard.
We invite you to enter into this conversation. Bring your curiosity, your compassion and your humour. Please leave stigma at the door.
This exhibition is dedicated to those who shared their insights with courage, and to those whose lives have been lost. We honour those whose names have been spoken in memory — whose stories continue to compel us forward in pursuit of transformation. We honour you and think about you often — especially when we walk.
CONCEPT | DESIGN | PRODUCTION
Artists:
Ryan – Daryll – Morgan – Eric – K. – D. – S. – Ke. – Bowie – G. – H. – C. – Sh. – Ca.
Artist Facilitators:
Patrick Dionne + Miki Gingras
Exhibition Curator / Publication Designer:
Caresse Nadeau
WWM Team:
Sharon Karsten – PhD, Project Director
Barb Whyte – Health Advocate + Traditional Knowledge Keeper
Christopher Hauschildt – Peer Researcher + Operations Coordinator
Caresse Nadeau – Community Engagement Coordinator
Trevor Wideman – PhD, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Andrew Mark – PhD, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Sophia Katsanikakis – Communications Coordinator
CVAG Team:
Glen Sanford – Executive Director
Cassidy Gehmlich – Operations Manager
Denise Lawson – Director / Curator of Programming
Dave Lawson – Technical Facilitator + Preparator
Taylor Robinson – Design + Media
Rachael Henshaw – Gallery Assistant
Kat Radford – SHOP⋮MADE + Visitor Services
NOTE: Some of the stories and images shared in the exhibition can be difficult to hear and see, and involve accounts of violence, abuse, neglect, racism, stigmatization, etc. The Walk With Me team will hold space for conversation and connection throughout the exhibition; community resources will be identified for those seeking additional support.
This exhibition is being shared with the community for a condensed duration.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES