SSILC

The Art of Disability at SSILC

Over the past several years, SSILC has worked with a variety of partners to offer people with disabilities opportunities to develop their artistic potential and to work toward their artistic goals. Without exception, arts-based programming has been well-received, with consistently high attendance and participation, and very positive feedback from participants.

Past activities have included:

CP Salon Project – In 2006 SSILC staff worked with Traci Foster to bring this one-man show about living with Cerebral Palsy, developed by Kazumi Tsuruoka and Fides Krucker, to Regina for two performances. In conjunction with the CP Salon, Fides Krucker and Traci Foster facilitated a 5-day Voice workshop attended by 19 participants, including professional and emerging artists with and without disabilities.
Creative Development Workshop – in 2008 SSILC partnered with Common Weal to offer a 4-month workshop for 18 participants. The project was facilitated by artist Traci Foster, with additional support from Storyteller Kevin MacKenzie, and resulted in the development of individual presentations by participants based on personal story. This project also resulted in the development of a photojournal and the production of a performance piece by one participant, which was performed as part of New Dance Horizons Blueprint Series in March 2010.
SSILC Summer Arts Program – In 2009, SSILC obtained funding from Sask. Lotteries to offer arts programming at the SSILC resource centre. Artists Traci Foster, Kevin MacKenzie and Michael Jozsa offered workshops in Voice, Storytelling, and Visual arts.
SSILC Open Mic Sessions – Since January 2009, SSILC has hosted monthly Open Mic sessions at the SSILC resource centre on the last Friday of the month. Since its inception, attendance has been consistently strong, ranging from 35-40 people per session, which is as many as the space can hold. Performers at the Open Mic include emerging artists with and without disabilities, many of whom had never publicly performed their original works, which include poetry, storytelling, stand-up comedy, and song. In addition to emerging artists, established local artists have attended and performed, including performing artist Traci Foster, cowboy poet & author Ken Mitchell, storytellers Kevin MacKenzie and Vincent Murphy, and local rockabilly musicians Brian Templeton and Sterling Brass. The Open Mic has become a popular venue for artists to perform new material, and to gain valuable performing experience, and for community members interested in gaining experience performing before a live audience.