Went on a lil vacay in the beginning of January.
Started off our trip with a soundbath in San Pancho to reset. Ate lots of tacos, hung out with many dogs and swam in the huge waves. Ended off the trip in Sayulita at a small resort on the ocean, sleeping to the waves.
Can't wait to go back again one day 🌞🌊🌴
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#oceanwaves #1111 #sanpancho #lajoya #sayulita
According to Michelle Fu 符之欣 and Brian McBay, there was never a master plan. The cultural leaders, co-founders of the multifaceted nonprofit arts organization 221A, and 2025 co-recipients of an Emily Award from Emily Carr University say each step happened organically and through earnest community engagement.
“Everything that’s worked for us has come from a sincere place of relationship,” says Michelle, 221A’s Head of Admin & Finance. “It’s always been connecting with people first, and then the opportunities come out of those conversations, out of those curiosities, out of people’s own interests … It’s always been in relation with others.”
Link in bio to read Michelle Fu and Brian McBay’s perspectives on centring the needs of artists and communities to build a better city 🔗
🎥 Video by @skillenandco
As she looks back on her storied career, a central theme emerges from the reflections of legendary artist and filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin. It weaves its way through the entirety of her acclaimed documentary practice, through her early work as a singer, and even back to her childhood. That theme is the power and beauty of the human voice.
“I wanted people to hear their voice,” Alanis says.
Alanis has devoted her life to creating space for Indigenous people to express themselves — whether personally, politically, culturally, institutionally or otherwise — without fear of judgement or reprisal. Through dozens of films, a record album and hundreds of engagements with classrooms from coast to coast, she has worked to build the world she wishes to see.
Hear more from our 2025 Honorary Degree recipient in our feature video interview at the link in our bio 🔗
🎥 Video by @skillenandco
“These times we’re together is an opportunity to have some joy.”
This year’s Emily Award was presented to Executive Director, Brian McBay (@snow_relaxer ), and Head of Finance & Admin, Michelle Fu (@mchlfu ), who co-founded 221A nearly 20 years ago as a student-run collective.
The two received the award alongside the Honorary Degree recipients, including Canadian film icon and documentarian Alanis Obomsawin, cultural leader and President & CEO of Arts Umbrella Paul Larocque, and textile artist and weaver Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the global art world.
Link in the bio for full video!
🎥 Video by Nathan Skillen (@skillenandco )
🎬 Produced by Emily Carr University (@emilycarru )
If there is one thing Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George is sure of, it’s this: culture is the key.
The master weaver, award-winning cultural leader, author, teacher and 2025 recipient of an Honorary Degree from Emily Carr University has devoted her life to this certainty.
A trained museum curator and educator as well as a hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation, Janice has travelled widely to share Coast Salish weaving practices through workshops, exhibitions and other initiatives.
“One of the things I understand and I know — and I say a lot — is that the culture saved my life when we lost our family,” says Janice, who lost her parents, a sister and a child in an auto accident in 1981. “My grandmother gathered me and my sisters, she brought us in her room, and she talked to us about what we’re going to do to make it through this … And I credit my grandmother for really holding us together. But what she used was the culture and the traditions of taking care of yourself.”
Link in bio to hear more from Janice on the life-giving power of culture!
🎥 Video by @skillenandco
How do you bring purpose to a career? Ask Paul Larocque.
Among his many projects since taking the helm as President & CEO of Arts Umbrella in 2016, the 2025 Emily Carr University Honorary Degree recipient has overseen the organization’s move into a new, 50,000 square-foot space on Granville Island (a building which was once part of the former ECU campus).
The multimillion-dollar renovation brought six new dance studios, four theatre, music and film studios, 10 art and design studios and a 132-seat theatre and exhibition space to the non-profit charitable organization, significantly increasing its capacity to serve its thousands of students.
He has helped establish new partnerships, programs and scholarships for Arts Umbrella students, and stewarded longstanding relationships with organizations such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, Ronald McDonald House, Electronic Arts, Covenant House and BC Children’s Hospital. And in 2019, Arts Umbrella launched Connected North in partnership with TakingITGlobal to bring high-quality arts education to youth in remote and underserved communities.
Read our profile on Paul and watch the full feature video interview at the link in our bio 🔗
🎥 Video by @skillenandco
How to #MuscleUp
Want to learn?
Join us every Saturdays
Calisthenics Strength Class
10am - 11:30am
@vancitymovement
Sign up link for all classes in the bio! 🔗
vancitymovement.ca
#calisthenics #streetworkout #gymnastics #gym #fit #fitness
#movement #yoga #flow #games #challenge #fitness #gym #balance #strength #focus #mind
Saturdays 🦁
Calisthenics & Ultimate Strength Class 💪
Come learn📝, play🐒, laugh🤣, lift 🏋️
All Levels Welcomed ✔️
No Experience Required 🚫
Only at @vancitymovement
Every Saturdays
10am - 11:30am
Check the bio for schedule!
Or sign up at
www.vancitymovement.ca
Registry now open!
#calisthenics #pullups
#vancouverfitness #vancouveryoga #vancouverdance #movementculture #movementflow #movementpractice
#calisthenics #ringsworkout #streetworkout
NYD 2024 with @smilehighclubvan
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Looking for a new experience to ring in the New Year? Join us on Jan 1st for our boutique day party!
You can expect:
🔸 dance floor vibes with 5 of our fav local house & techno djs
🔸 shop & talk with some local vendors
🔸 A yummy bar selection including our palomas & mimosas with freshly made juice 🍊
🔸 Specialty coffees from @ravencoffeecompany
🔸 VIBES - pop in or stay for the entire day 12-7pm
If you want to dance your way into 2024 with your besties, and start the year off with great intentions ✨ NYD is the place to be 🫶🏼
Online tickets on sale now + limited tickets available at the door
Click the link in our bio for all party info and ticket sales
Graphics by @plush.bambi
Photos by @shotbysteph.photo
