Our Home, Regina Project

In June, 2012 the Saskatchewan Organization of Heritage Languages (SOHL) along with the Saskatchewan Film Pool Cooperative, the Regina Public Library Film Theatre and three local artists, presented Our Home, Regina, an opportunity for immigrant students ages 10 – 16 to participate in a unique multi-media workshop and exhibition project.  Close to 20 students from China, Bangladesh and Nigeria gathered together at the Filmpool on June 2nd to begin an exciting day of photography, poetry, audio interviews and art making.

Professional photographer Thomas Bartlett provided a wonderful opportunity for the students to explore the art pf photography and was impressed with their uninhibited, natural talents. The participants also wrote about their home country and impressions of moving to Canada, and almost all of them commented upon the weather – winters are so cold in Saskatchewan!

All of the students read their work into a sound recorder for later broadcast on SOHL Connection, a radio show on CJTR.

In addition, the students were asked to decorate their pages, and along with visual artists Kelly and Jessica Riess, produced an amazing magazine, including photography, poetry and art work, documenting their experiences.

Finally, on June 30th, all of the participants, as well as their families and friends, were invited to the RPL Film Theater for a fun filled afternoon of film screenings, photography and social interaction.  It was a wonderful wind up to an event that demonstrated not only the diversity in Regina, but also the impact and importance of art.