Taking a break from travel, projects, and summer schedules to sit down and talk about what’s next

We spent part of today at Stella’s, one of our favourite places to meet. During the fall and winter months, we’re here at home in the city. Programs, meetings, events, partnerships, and project development often bring us together on a regular basis. Summer is different. People are travelling, teaching, conducting research, attending festivals, working on creative projects, and moving between communities. The pace changes, and before long everyone seems to be heading in a different direction.

That’s one reason days like this matter.

We originally sat down to discuss several projects currently moving through development, including plans for a mural series that we hope to bring to a number of locations. As often happens, the conversation expanded quickly beyond the original agenda. Film projects led to research discussions. Research led to conversations about community development. Food security initiatives entered the picture. New partnerships, future programming, and upcoming opportunities all found their way onto the table. The best meetings rarely stay confined to a single topic for very long.

At some point, however, we all became distracted by the wall. Truthfully, we look at it quite often. But today’s the first time we actually talked about it.

Stella’s has long incorporated artwork into its spaces, and while discussing murals we found ourselves repeatedly looking up at the collection surrounding us. It is difficult to spend hours talking about public art without paying attention to the art already occupying the room. Different approaches, different styles, different ways of using colour and space all sparked discussion. Before long we were debating what makes people stop and look at a piece of art in the first place, what creates a connection to a place, and how murals can become part of the everyday experience of a community rather than simply decoration.

Those conversations are an important part of the creative process. People often see finished projects and assume the work begins when production starts. In reality, many projects begin with conversations like this one. Ideas are tested, challenged, reshaped, and sometimes abandoned altogether. New directions emerge unexpectedly. Connections appear between projects that originally seemed unrelated. Whether we’re discussing film, public art, research, cultural development, or community initiatives, the thinking that happens around a table is often just as important as the final outcome.

While the travel can be exhausting at times, it also creates opportunities to meet new people, learn from different communities, and bring fresh ideas back into our own work.

We’re also looking forward to attending the Under $100 Art Show coming to Winnipeg this August. Events like these play an important role within Manitoba’s arts community, creating opportunities for artists to connect and making their artwork accessible to a wider audience. Winnipeg has always been an important centre for arts, culture, and creative activity, and there’s always something new happening somewhere in the city.

For now, though, we’re simply enjoying what has already been a productive and enjoyable summer. French toast. There’s still plenty of work ahead, but it was nice to spend a few hours together sharing a meal, exchanging ideas, and taking a moment to think about where all of these projects might lead next.

Sometimes that’s exactly what is needed.