Portraits of Mississauga
In the summer of 2023, Rachel volunteered as a community engagement facilitator for Visual Art’s Mississauga’s ‘Portraits of Mississauga’ Project. This project featured art workshops held in libraries across Mississauga, where participants of all ages could learn self-portrait techniques. Diversity was a significant theme present in the initiative. In the end, all of the participant’s portraits were compiled in a publication, with a copy available at each of Mississauga’s libraries. Rachel wrote and performed this poem for the initiative’s launch celebration.
In the summer of 2023, Visual Arts Mississauga visited libraries across the city
Today we celebrate the results of connecting with our vibrant community
Instructors Tiina, Carla and Kaitlin, along with volunteers like me
Encouraged participants to believe - that everyone can be an artist, there is no need for a fancy degree
Some came to the workshops alone, others were accompanied by friends and family
All were welcome, whether child, adult or teen, there were no boundaries set between
Though each workshop focused on a designated media form – this did not limit creative capacity
We provided watercolour paints, chalk pastels and pencil crayons, in exchange, we were delighted with such a scene
As you can surely see, moulding a representation of one’s individuality, is not something limited to working with plasticine
Producing an image of one’s unique personality, extends beyond what can be captured through photography
Freedom of expression, social activism, creative liberty, … these are some of the things that make art such a powerful tool if you ask me
‘I am a great artist’ children would exclaim, ‘I never thought I would enjoy this so much’ ‘I am doing a portrait of my little daughter’ were among the things I would overhear in these workshops
I hope that those who found a new passion or returned to an old joy, overlooked by the hustle and bustle of everyday life don’t stop
Continue to create, imagine, share, take ownership and pride in your tenacity, willingness to learn new things
Show the world who you truly are inside,
I urge you to use art as an outlet, a light to guide us in today’s tumultuous times
From Churchill Meadows, to Burnhamthorpe, Port Credit and Malton Library, to the property we are gathered today, nestled by Riverwood Conservancy and Indigenous peoples traditional territory
Portraits of Mississauga was more than a tokenistic ode to diversity
Legacy – lets continue to uphold the values that make Mississauga such a great place to be
Just like these beautiful works of art, handing in our gallery
Let’s do this from the heart, living in harmony genuinely
Regardless of the paths we took, oceans travelled, borders crossed to end up in this municipality.
