April 2, 2022
Panel Discussion with Eating in the Time of COVID-19 Artists & Participants
The
Richmond Food Stories project
Eating in the Time of COVID-19 is an online exhibition that reflects the culturally diverse and intergenerational experiences of people in Richmond and our changing access to food during COVID-19. This panel discussion features stories, artwork, interviews, and videos collected by the artists Denise Fong and Christy Fong, in conversation with some of the project participants. Sarah Drewery (Executive Director of
Sharing Farm), Ian Lai (Executive Director of
Urban Bounty), and Jamie MacFarlane (Manager of
Storeys Cafe) come together to share unexpected learnings from the experience, how things have changed since the interviews, and their hopes for the future. Join us to learn more about conducting community-based art projects in a pandemic, and what we can learn from our shared resilience and collaboration!
Session was hosted as a live-streamed event, and can now be viewed as a video
HERE.
About the Hosts:
Christy and Denise Fong have been exploring the use of digital media since 2015 as an approach to community storytelling. In 2016, Christy Fong and Denise Fong co-directed the documentary short
Under Fire: Inside a Chinese Roasted Meats Shop in Vancouver, which was nominated for BCSA: Vancouver Asian Film Festival’s Best Canadian Short Award 2016.
About the Presenters:
Sarah Drewery is the Executive Director of The Sharing Farm, a non profit farm which grows food using sustainable methods for donation to the food bank. She has led non-profit organizations for over 8 years, both in British Columbia and the UK. She has a Masters Degree in Archives & Records Management from UCL and prior to working at The Sharing Farm she worked in the heritage sector, in archives and museums. She is passionate about organic agriculture, sustainability and connecting communities through urban farming.
Ian Lai is a chef educator, beekeeper, yogi, and rock climber. He lives and works in Richmond and brings with him 15 years of environmental education and project management experience. He has a background in teaching in diverse and inclusive spaces and is committed to building a resilient community. Ian loves collaborating and building strategic partnerships to bring joy and meaning to food. Ian has lived in South Africa and Japan and continues to travel the world seeking out new adventures.
Jamie MacFarlane is the manager of Storeys Cafe in Richmond. This vibrant café located half a block from Richmond City Hall is open for breakfast, coffee and lunch Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Private bookings are welcomed as well. This comfortable, friendly café has a selection of baked goods, sandwiches, soups and salads, while supporting opportunities for people in the community to develop employment skills and confidence. Visitors are welcome to drop-in and be a part of making a difference!
