A Week in January 2026 generously supported by CLICK
Amazing youngsters! So capable, creative and collaborative. Amazing teaching artists! So passionate to empower youth.
Day 1: Candice Halls-Howcroft of Squamish Nation shared her ancestral teachings and captivating stories of being ‘in a canoe together’ as community. The youths learned the Four Directions, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, listening, patience, respect and ceremony. They reflected, brainstormed then took photographic self-portraits, sharing them in the closing circle.
Day 2: Creator, David Lyle, brought out the best in each youth as a photographer. They practised critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving as they searched throughout their community for meaningful metaphors to capture on camera. David commented, “It was great to see youths use their phones as active tools. Playing with angles, light and content, they helped each other ‘see’ differently, discover what moved them and how to speak out.”
Day 3 & 4: Youths’ confidence soared, invigorated by connecting to peers and community. With author Lori Sherritt-Fleming, they wrote poems and artists’ statements: a monumental and courageous feat for those struggling with literacy.
Day 5: With actor Damian Rumph’s team building, youths delighted in the power of their voices. Sportsmanship, laughter, and belonging brought unstoppable energy! Over 200 friends, family and school mates attended the youths’ Community Gallery Showcase where they shared their metaphorical photographs, poems, and leadership.
Youths said:
- “Art expands your brain.”
- “I went outside my comfort zone, and I wasn’t shy.”
- “I have to show up or I miss out.”
- “My standards for myself went way up.”
- “I learned it was fun to be rejected…that it’s a competition with yourself and there’s excitement when you get it right.”
- “I realized I am more competent than I thought.”
- “I learned not to take the easy way out.”
- “I learned independent thinking – how to figure things out.”
- “I see the world differently now.”
Public Exhibition: The Britannia Community Centre and Britannia Branch of the Vancouver Public Library are featuring the youths’ work in a Gallery Exhibition opening February 25th, 3:30 – 5 pm and running until March 31st. They call it, “An East Side Story”. Prints of the photographs will be sold by the youths to raise funds for their graduation trip: financial and leadership skills for life.
To support the kids at youthLEADarts or to buy the kids’ prints, visit www.youthLEADarts.com or text Lori at 778-319-6524.