Zooming The Pandemic Ep. 7 "Winter is Coming"

With the second wave of the pandemic hitting harder than ever, this episode looks at how New Westminster is gearing up to get through a long dark winter. While local parades and other traditional Christmas celebrations are all cancelled, the city is not without hope. In this episode host Deni Loubert explores what is lost and what is gained in this British Columbia city from the perspective of three citizens who are all involved in the arts in some way.

Musing on the emotional price of a summer without music and a fall filled with smoke from forest fires in western United States, Loubert asks if New Westminster is still made of the kind of stern stuff that got them through the Great Fire of 1898 and periodic floods from the nearby Fraser River. With the tragic loss of the iconic Wow New West sculpture in a fire on the city pier in September, she looks at the emotional toll on her and everyone around her as winter closes in.

She begins by discussing the solutions that have been found for The Artists Council of New Westminster’s creative shows and plans formed by local theatres The Massey and The Anvil Center. Laura Grady, Program Manager for the Artists Council talks of how they found ways to keep the in-school arts programs going and how she hopes to soon bring back the highly successful Crafts New West crafts market. Grady’s plans for a scaled down annual tour of local artist studios gives the city a way to continue to celebrate its own local artists.
Meanwhile Jessica Schneider, Executive Director for The Massey and The Anvil Center discusses the impact of the pandemic on the local art scene. With theatre at a stand still and many creative people isolated from their usual artistic connections, she talks about how her organization is working hard to keep shows going, keep artists hopes up and keep those art forms alive for the lifting of spirits of everyone in the city.

This lack of creative outlet is felt by many who are outside of the creative world, as Vanessa Darwin, a local home based worker in the tech industry, can attest. She talks about missing live music and her struggles to stay optimistic in dark times. All three end the episode by sharing the silver linings they have all experienced as technology helps many to find connection in a time of isolation and to cherish those they love.

Music: Youtube Music Library