3 minute read
Celebrating Deaf culture
By Janet Jarrell
Above: Jada Etheridge
Hands in Commemoration is a landmark festival recognizing our local Deaf culture and the deep significance of the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf (SJW) in Belleville.
Founded in 1870 as the Ontario Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Sir James Whitney School is Canada’s oldest and largest school for the Deaf. For more than 150 years, it has been a cultural and educational cornerstone, nurturing generations of Deaf students and shaping the city’s fabric. Today, the school continues to stand as a proud symbol of identity, heritage, and community.
At the heart of this celebration is an exhibition of De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art). These works affirm Deaf identity, share lived stories, and celebrate American Sign Language (ASL) as both a language and a vibrant cultural expression. Visitors encounter powerful artworks such as Bi-Languages in Our Life by Vika Rudenko, with each piece accompanied by a QR code linking to the artist’s statement in ASL with voiceover and captions—ensuring accessibility and deeper connection for all audiences.
This initiative also honours the leadership of Janice Drake, Chair of the OSD/ SJW Alumni Association, and Deaf artist and accessibility advocate Leah Riddell who designed a concept spelling out “Belleville” in ASL handshapes. A temporary version has already been shared with the community, while plans continue for a permanent metal and plexiglass installation at Zwick’s Island Park.
Riddell says, “For generations, Deaf people in Belleville have carried stories of resilience, identity, and culture that often went unseen. Hands in Commemoration is our way of making that visible; through art, through language, and soon, through a permanent ASL sign in the heart of the city. It’s a celebration of who we are, and an invitation for the community to celebrate with us.”
A powerful dimension of this celebration is the storytelling of filmmaker Alvin Witcher, founder of PAH Media. Witcher, who is Deaf, is dedicated to sharing authentic stories from within the Deaf community. As he explains: “Something was missing in the Deaf community –there was a lack of sharing information, specifically about Deaf people, our stories and experiences. It was time I rolled up my sleeves and returned to my original passion: making documentaries to share Deaf stories.”
Hands in Commemoration is more than an exhibition—it is a celebration of resilience, identity, and the cultural legacy of our Deaf community. It shines a light on the stories, language, and contributions that make Belleville’s Deaf heritage so vital. This is not just a recognition of the past, but an ongoing invitation for everyone to learn, connect, and join in celebrating an extraordinary chapter of our community’s story.
