April, a 2011 DTES Small Arts Grant recipient, is Downtown Eastside resident, worker and advocate. She is usually a perky girl bouncing her way through the neighbourhood doing art, community outreach and story telling through the use of mobile technology. Her favorite art style is situational photography and videography which highlights the variable aspects of our community from the light hearted and sweet to the more volatile and stormy situations. Creating new community dialogue to help our DTES grow is what interests April. She also enjoys trying new techniques in painting, cartooning and experimental film making. April is a board member of W2 Community Media Arts Society and a founding member of Downtown Eastside social media group – AHA MEDIA.
Presentation – “AHA Media” Hendrik and April will discuss how the two of them have been involved in the arts for many years. From painting, drawing, cartooning for Megaphone Magazine, experimental filmmaking, photo documentation, social media coverage on many community arts, and activities in the DTES. Hendrik and April will show a series of slides, including images from their work at the Heart of the City Festival, the 2010 Olympics and their Shadow Theatre Play. As well, they will share their thoughts on how community arts should be encouraged through mentoring, studio space, grants, and peer to peer collaboration.