Immigration, place, home: Artist retreat explores a changing P.E.I.

A diverse group of artists gathered in eastern P.E.I. last week to discuss how the experience of immigration is changing the Island, and changing them.

The artists' retreat at Rock Barra, near Souris, P.E.I., attracted 20 people, roughly evenly mixed between Mi'kmaq, recent immigrants, and non-Mi'kmaq Islanders.

"The youngest participant was a Mi'kmaq girl she's 11," said Teresa Doyle,co-facilitator of the event, along with Alan Syliboy and Eliza Knockwood.

"I guess the oldest person grew up in Zimbabwe, what was called Rhodesia at that point. He's from Wales and he's a long-time participant here at Rock Barra."

Leave your phones at home

The retreat was not for professional artists, but for anyone who wanted to learn. The retreat ran from Monday to Friday last week with an open house on Sunday.

The week discussion circles, singing, painting, all with a focus on immigration, place and home.

I'm usually a person who's always on my phone. There's no phones.Kendi Tariachia

Participant Kendi Tarichia said it was a great opportunity to disconnect, focus on the themes, and create art.

"I'm usually a person who's always on my phone. There's no phones," said Tarichia.

"So much art, and so much music came out of it, and actually getting to know people."

Doyle said with P.E.I. changing so quickly with a recent surge of immigration, the retreat was a great opportunity to compare perspectives.

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