Collage by Laura R. Copes, based on design by Freepik
This year was a prolific year for creativity, invention and innovation. From escape room games and 3D printers to youth initiatives and philanthropic endeavours, artists, inventors and entrepreneurs, newcomers and native Vancouverites alike, have capitalized on the remarkable opportunities available. In turn, they have given back to the community they now call home.
Many of the people we’ve talked to credit the vibrant multicultural character of the city for providing an endless source of inspiration and imagination. As writer Hakim Ferria put it in his Verbatim in June, Vancouver’s cultural capital provides fertile ground for creativity, which allows “the cross-pollination of minds and leads to the birth of new ideas.”
The Source Newspaper has covered a few of these groups and individuals in our stories over the past year. Let’s revisit some of these memorable success stories.
Creativity springs eternal
Creativity comes from many different sources, either from a thirst for knowledge, an interest in resolving a social ill or from one’s own difficult struggles.
In April, writer Florence Hwang examined the media art of Taiwanese-born, Vancouver-based artist Sammy Chien. His experience of racism and exclusion inspired him to connect with other marginalized groups in different communities, teaching youth to look beyond stereotypes and value (rather than vilify) differences. His art merges cinema, sound and dance with new media techniques in order to bridge gaps between cultures and society. For Chien, expressing creativity can not only be inspiring but also therapeutic.
“We want to let [youth] know that it’s okay to think differently, to look different, be different from others,” said Chien to Hwang.
Also in April, writer Katy Thompson profiled Russian-Canadian artist Anyuta Gusakova. Raised and educated in Moscow, studying and crafting stone, bronze and porcelain sculptures, she moved to Vancouver in 2009 to further develop her art. While here, she discovered the versatile nature of paper pulp as a medium, inspiring her to design papier-mâché sculptures and exhibit them for the Eastside Culture Crawl and CityScape. In Vancouver, Gusakova’s artistic passion was able to flourish in ways she could not express back in her old home.
“In Russia, you never speak your mind. You have to fit in,” she told Thompson.
In September, writer Murray brought us the story of three SFU graduate students, Wynnie Chung, Emily Ip and Sun Min Lee, who created a dress that utilizes wearable technology to help alleviate feelings of social isolation. Using sensors, the “Laughing Dress” responds to its environment by using laughter to encourage conversation. The designers hoped that the dress would evoke a curiosity to bring people closer together.
“How do we, through our current personal telecommunication devices, augment our natural feelings to others?” said Ip on the dress’s purpose.
Innovating in the city
Sometimes these creative sparks give rise to a truly innovative and profitable business idea. The Source Newspaper has covered a few individuals who have utilized their artistic talents in the business realm to positive results.
In April, writer Sandra Zimmerman chatted with entrepreneur Eugene Suyu, who was honoured as an outstanding business leader by BCBusiness Magazine. Inspired by 3D printing, Suyu launched Tinkerine, an affordable 3D printer aimed at educational institutions to promote this burgeoning new technology. The Taiwanese-born businessman found Vancouver to be a fertile ground for his company and wouldn’t consider relocating.
“Vancouver offers what the 3D printing industry needs most: young, passionate individuals with fresh ideas, who are fast at learning and challenge conventions,” said Suyu.
And in May, writer Anuja Kapoor spoke with born and raised Vancouverite Jeffrey Jang. He co-founded Boximals Studios, which utilizes his artwork in adventure games featuring characters that are a cross between boxes and animals: Boximals. The games educate young children in numbers, counting and the English alphabet, and encourages them to have fun while doing it. Jang’s company has earned over $1 million in revenue and has secured partnerships to help promote the gaming concept worldwide.
“Boximals definitely played a key role in giving me the opportunity to get into the entrepreneurial space in Vancouver,” Jang said.
For a good cause
The Source Newspaper has also covered those groups and individuals who have devoted their time and talent to improving the welfare and civic life of our communities and beyond.
In June, writer Carl Densem shone a spotlight on Kiran Toor, one of the founding members of Kids Play, an initiative that helps reduce youth crime by encouraging sports participation. Toor thinks sports fosters valuable life lessons such as discipline, responsibility and accountability, which are essential in reducing risk factors associated with youth crime. Toor personally helped raise over $100,000 for various causes, earning her a Top 25 Under 25 award from the City of Surrey.
In October, writer Mariam Baldeh spoke with Joash Gambarage, a UBC PhD candidate in African linguistics. Gambrage, a native of Tanzania, came to Vancouver on a scholarship in 2010. He used some of the funds to open an elementary school in Mugeta, where he grew up, in order to provide education to youth who would not otherwise have access to it.
Similarly, in May, I interviewed Fazineh Keita and Ava Vanderstarren, founders of the Innocence Lost Foundation. With the intention of helping former child soldiers in Kabala, Sierra Leone, reclaim their childhood, the foundation hopes to build the Kabala Community Centre: a safe place to heal wounds.
Gambarage, Keita and Vanderstarren devote their time and efforts to raising awareness of some of the social and cultural issues afflicting Tanzania and Sierra Leone. In the process, they also educate us about the rest of the world.
“We want to personally do something that will make a difference. We want to use our art and our talent to not only bring healing to child soldiers, but to teach people to understand what’s happening,” Keita said to me.
Each one of these individuals have positively contributed culturally, economically or philanthropically to our city, and we are all the richer for it. We at The Source Newspaper continue to look forward to bringing you the stories of pioneering groups and individuals who help promote understanding, build awareness and enrich the cultural fabric of our city in the new year.
