When I first learned of the Malvern HERstory program, I was wrapped in layers of blankets with a book in my right hand and a cup of tea in my left. I didn’t realize it then but a year of the pandemic had dulled my creativity and my eagerness for opportunities to let my creative juices flow. I was content with just going with the flow and I wasn’t eager to step out of my blankets to actually do something. However, I found myself interested in the program. Maybe, I thought to myself: “It’s time to step out into the community and see what you can do.”
Shortly after, I attended the first online meeting.
The first online session started with some poetry and by the end, I felt like I had opened my eyes just a little bit more. It was as if I had woken up somehow. I felt more perky and that cheerfulness followed me throughout the week. I’ve always loved poetry and the beauty of words so I was ecstatic when we began to formulate these beautiful sentences as a group. I smiled as our first poetry piece was spoken aloud and I felt encouraged to continue attending sessions. Soon, I was looking forward to each session. We tried different art forms during the online meetings and I was surprised at how much I liked trying them. Sylvie and Frannie made the online sessions amazingly engaging and interesting so I found myself with a pencil or pencil crayon in my right hand and the edge of the smooth white paper in my left. There was a great feeling to the meetings and I felt supported even in the online environment.
When it was announced that we would be able to paint in person shortly, I became nervous. In my head, I imagined myself walking into the first in-person session nervously and attempting to strike up awkward conversations with people. I imagined myself splattering paint everywhere and hearing the ring of cold laughter by others in the room. I was surprised when nothing of that sort happened and in fact, it was the polar opposite of what I imagined. As soon as I entered the room, warm voices greeted me and I could tell that people were smiling a “hello!” under their masks. I felt at ease with the vibrant energy situated in the room and I relaxed, shortly getting to know everyone and making new connections. I loved how everyone was so open-minded and creative, putting their flair into painting — something to make our mural truly unique.
Malvern HERstory participants connect in-person for the first time to paint at Malvern Recreation Centre.
Possibly my favourite part was the positive atmosphere that was weaved into the program. The people I met were amazingly friendly and there was an energetic vibe both in the online meetings and at the in-person paint sessions. I was surprised at how quickly I bonded with other program participants and how easy it was for me to feel like I belonged. Music and chatter filled the room while we were dipping paint brushes in paint and sweeping them over wood canvases. I held a beautiful paintbrush in my right hand and a soon-to-be-flower-petal in my left. There was this feeling of mutual unity as we encouraged each other onwards and lifted each other forward.
When the final session was over, I left with a feeling of rejuvenated creativity. I loved the blend of poetry, art and paint that I experienced. I’ve never been more certain that the memories I made during this program will fuel me into an artistic tomorrow. Our artistic tomorrow.
A visual mock-up of the mural we created in the Malvern HERstory program called, Our Illustrated Dream.
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This blog post was written by Cynthia Wang, a youth participant in the Malvern HERstory program. All photos were taken with consent from participants/parents/guardians.
Final images of Our Illustrated Dream coming soon, as well as poems created throughout the program. Stay tuned to our instagram for details!
