Page 16 · Richmond Review
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Short on years, long on creativity Richmond youth are out front in the local art scene by Glenda Bartosh Contributor
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rom making a mock movie to selling their artwork at the Youth Art Mart, Richmond’s young people are finding all sorts of outlets for their creativity. One of the hottest tickets in town is the Richmond Youth Media Program — or RYMP — which is based at The Media Lab in Richmond Cultural Centre. There, young people are honing their creativity in everything from DJing to digital media arts while making new connections and learning other skills along the way. Opened in 2011, the lab is also home to the Cinevolution Media Arts Society, which runs the Your Kontinent film festival, plus it offers a wide range of programming. But it’s RYMP that has young people talking, especially about the effervescent Media Arts Leader, Lauren Burrows Backhouse. With an extensive background in radio broadcasting that includes CBC Radio 3 — where she worked with a lot of emerging artists — and CBC Radio 1’s DNTO, Burrows Backhouse brings a unique depth to her job along with a knack for inspiring young people. “This program is really filling a gap out there in Richmond,” said Burrows Backhouse. “Often parents will come by and notice that the youth are on computers but they’re also talking to
Media Lab The Media Lab offers a wide range of programming — all ages welcome! For more info on these and other creative programs, see the latest Parks, Recreation and Culture Guide. Also, come and “sing like a robot” at The Media Lab during Culture Days.
Media Arts Leader, Lauren Burrows Backhouse (left) loves inspiring young people like Emily May, a member of the dynamic Richmond Youth Media Program, who’s found friends and encouragement along with new skills in digital media arts at The Media Lab.
Young people were on board to make a mock movie during the Youth Media Day Workshop led by Lawrence Le Lam (far right) during this summer’s Your Kontinent International Film Festival. Lam is a volunteer with the Richmond Youth Media Program. His brother, Kevin (far left), with help from RYMP, landed a part as an extra in Tomorrowland, the big Disney film starring George Clooney now shooting in Metro Vancouver.
each other and creating stuff — they seem so excited. The parents are like, what are you doing in here? My son likes the computer — can I get him into the program?” Julia Olsen, who nominated Burrows-Backhouse for a 2013 U-ROC Award, is just one of the 100 or so members already enjoying RYMP and Burrows Backhouse’s mentorship. “I now know how to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere, and I’ve picked up basic knowledge about DJing and music production by watching the other members,” Olsen said.
“But the most important lesson I’ve learned from RYMP is how to be a good leader. Lauren has shown me how to take initiative, how to work in groups, and how to delegate tasks — she’s an amazing person!” Olsen’s enthusiasm is shared by Lawrence Le Lam, now a documentary filmmaker and fourth year visual arts student at Emily Carr University for Art and Design. “I think every good in my life in a way has come from The Media Lab,” he said. Lam got involved volunteering with RYMP a few
years ago when he stumbled upon the lab’s giant green screen. Since then, he’s volunteered for events like this year’s Youth Media Day Workshop, plus he’s gotten his brother, Kevin, involved. With help from RYMP, Kevin has since landed a part as an extra in Tomorrowland, the star-studded film with George Clooney now shooting in Metro Vancouver. When it comes to understanding the importance of growing young people’s creativity through programs like RYMP, Debbie Tobin has a unique perspective. A teacher at James Gilmore Elementary School, Tobin is also Artistic Director and Founder of the Children’s Art Festival, and Chair and Founder of B.C. Children’s Art and Literacy Centre, which enhances children’s literacy rates through art. “One year I had a really special group of kids and I just couldn’t reach them, especially one little boy,” she said. “He couldn’t read or write, but after two weeks in class, I realized he was drawing every single thing I was saying… “What kids gravitate to and how we’re going to change the world is through creativity, and art will give you that. “The most powerful tool that kids have is creativity.”
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Berlin Capalad making her jewellery.
Youth Art Mart debuts at Culture Days
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f you see young people burning the midnight oil lately making everything from drawings and stickers to bookmarks, crochet accessories and photo prints, good chance they’re getting ready for the first Youth Art Mart in Richmond. Part of Culture Days, the art mart has attracted 14 young local artists, including Berlin Capalad, who makes unique jewellery and accessories like cute little button earrings for her On Beat Collections. “I’m really excited about it to see what other people are making, too,” says Capalad, who plans to be a teacher. “I love art in every form, so being able to see art in every single form in one place and meet other artists I might be able to collaborate with is awesome.” The art mart was the brainchild of Krista Germyn, Roving Youth Outreach Worker for the City of Richmond. “Among the many things we do [in the program] is help youth develop their sparks or passions. For some youth, that’s through recreation or social programming. For others it’s through arts and culture, so I wanted to create an outlet for their creativity and talents,” said Germyn. She hopes the Youth Art Mart will grow into an annual event. Check it out Saturday, September 28, 1–4 p.m. at the Richmond Cultural Centre plaza. —Glenda Bartosh