Cultivating roots in love: writing and collaging in community

How do we free our understanding of love from capitalism’s clutches?

How do we acknowledge both its expansive beauty and messy, nitty-gritty mundaneness?

How do we tend to love in this critical time, as a sustainable form of resistance and envisioning?

Join us in community to discuss, create, and cultivate love as a revolutionary force, in the tradition of queer Black feminists and Indigenous Peoples such as adrienne maree brown, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Audre Lorde, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and more.

This workshop, dedicated to people engaged in imagining and enacting widespread change, offers a range of artistic prompts to envision a world rooted in love, through the framing of gardening and growth. What does love look like in varying non-human and entangled forms? How do we facilitate systems based on love’s premise? How do we honour the everyday? What are the implications of love for meaning-making? How will you carry love forward as a generative force?

Devoting time to creativity and care is central to effective community building. In this setting, you will have opportunities to write, chat, create, and situate your thoughts and feelings within an intimate group. We will aim to finish with a group collage, and you are welcome to keep your own piece. All are welcome; no experience needed.

All you need to bring is paper and a drawing or writing utensil! We will provide the rest.

The cost of our workshop is on a sliding scale to ensure that it can be financially accessible. Please select the amount most appropriate for your situations. If the cost is still a barrier and you would like to attend, please send Christie an email at [email protected] and we will work something out. No one will be turned away due to cost.

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About your faciliators:

Linh is a HarperCollins children’s fantasy author and a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, focusing on love as epistemology. She loves running experimental workshops in community and creating spaces for artists to play.

Her work can be found at and Instagram @linh.s.nguyen.

Christie is a multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur & maker who loves the translation space between story and metaphors to often whimsical and surrealistic concepts or experiences. She is currently exploring natural dyes and weaving cloth.

She is also a lover of creating brave spaces for others to develop and challenge their craft and connecting her community with their inner work and unique expressions. Christie is currently the Co-Steward for Camp Reset, a living lab where folks can collectively practice and prototype new and renewed ways to connect with the land, others and ourselves.

Learn more about Reset at and about Christie @mimaschrwonstie.

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FAQS

Do you have to be good at drawing or writing?

Not at all! But you do need to have a curiosity or some level of appreciation for it.

Who are you and where did this idea come from?

Given the collective grief of the ongoing genocide in Palestine, as well as attacks on migrants and queer and trans folks, opening communal spaces for love and art feels essential. The idea for this theme is based on Linh’s doctoral research at the University of Cambridge on love as epistemology. It is paired with Christie’s extensive expertise in visual arts practices.

As practicing artists and facilitators, their collaboration has spanned many years. Though they approach art in different ways – Christie more through visuals and Linh through words – they share an inclination and desire to process their experiences through spaces of shared creativity.

If you’re interested in the potential of collage, somatics, writing, and growing community through practices of love, this is the space for you!

This is our second workshop in this series (check out our first one here) though we've run several other workshops related to love, identity, imagination and storytelling over the past 6 years as collaborators and artists!

How long is the workshop and can I drop in when I want?

The workshop is 3.5 hours long and participants are expected to arrive at 6pm to honour the warm-up space facilitated, which will ease one into a communal space to explore through art and connection.

Which entrance should I access?

The Spadina Entrance. This is the ground-floor level entrance to the 401 Richmond building, located near the intersection of Spadina and Richmond St, next to the Mama’s pizza. A ramp is also accessible at this entrance.

How do I get to the studio (Unit 409) when I am inside the building from the Spadina Entrance?

You can take the elevator towards your right from the entrance up to the fourth (4th) floor and follow the signs to unit 409.

Is there parking at 401 Richmond St West?

The building does not offer visitor or free parking at any time. All spaces are reserved for tenants; Paid parking in the surrounding area, including one at 355 Adelaide St W, and Green P Lot 106 at 15 Denison Ave.

Which TTC stations are nearby?

Osgoode Station at Queen and University, go South to Richmond Street and West to Peter Street. About a 15 min walk.

Which GO TRAIN stations are nearby?

Union Station on Front Street. Walk West on Front Street to University Avenue. Turn right to walk North up University Avenue until Richmond Street. Turn left to walk West down Richmond Street. 401 Richmond is on the South side of the street, almost at Spadina Avenue. About a 25 min walk.

Thank you Recess Community for the space to commune!

If you have any questions at all, feel free to message Christie or Linh (Instagram @mimaschrwonstie/ @linh.s.nguyen)!

We can't wait to explore and connect!

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