Going ‘Rogue’ and Paying it Forward. Kellie.
Sharing a very powerful narrative from my incredibly creative and dear friend Kellie. In her story, Kellie describes her passion as a maker in many modalities, her experiences of frustration, grit and determination around teaching the creative arts, and her drive and passion to change ALL of this for the better (and for others to do the same!). Create, share, and pay it forward, she says - “isn’t that what it is all about!” Thanks for sharing your passion, lived experiences, and important questions around the value of arts in education, leaving us with much to consider and contemplate around ‘Why?,’ and the possibility and potential of going ‘rogue’ at times with our creative endeavours.
A Story of Grit, MAGIC, ART and IDEAS.
Early Inspiration. Kellie’s Story.
The crawl space of our house was a magical place when I was a kid. It was packed full of a wide assortment of paper, the remains of a defunct printing business that my dad had tried to save. It served as the linchpin of creative inspiration for my gang of friends. Whatever we could dream up we would try out, from impromptu plays to lowbrow carnivals hosted in our garage. Each endeavour would include posters, costumes, props, backdrops and tickets hand bombed on paper from the crawlspace.
Magical Places.
Years later, I found myself again inspired by a magical place after packing up my car and heading for Hollywood. I landed myself a job as an intern at Make Up Effects Lab where I was part of a team who developed creatures, costumes, props and set pieces for film and the like. A day in the lab was always exciting. We would be given a brief from a client and set to the task of bringing to life whatever that brief outlined by using imagination, experimentation and collaboration.
Photo Credit: Kellie Anderson
I had essentially found a job where whatever I could dream up, I could try out. My time working in labs and on sets gave me an incredible skill set that covers the gamut. Most film production crew can comfortably make a lateral move to apocalypse management, should the opportunity arise, and I am no exception.
Photo Credit: Kellie Anderson
New Beginnings.
After twenty five plus years working as a creative globally, my daughter and I chose to set down roots in Nova Scotia. In hindsight, Nova Scotia found me. The last place anyone that knew me figured I would end up, it was the perfect place. A place that you can still try out whatever you dream up. I started a film and art school in Mahone Bay with the directive of creating an environment where creativity could thrive.
A lab that inspired imagination, experimentation and collaboration. A magical place to honour of all of the magical places which I have had the good fortune to experience.
Soon after the shop launched I was approached by the public school to teach art and film through the PAINTS program. Art education is often an afterthought and the solution to sub out class time instruction to artists that volunteer their time to instruct is not sustainable long-term. The holes in this plan require no explanation. I put forward all of the time that I could spare but always finished a session thinking that students deserve better. Especially those who gravitated to the arts.
The pandemic gave me pause to think further. Conversations with fellow filmmakers/ creatives revolved around the lack of creative based education in schools, the problem of keeping production in Nova Scotia without enough technical crew and consistency of industry. The solution seemed clear to me. Connect all of the dots.
Photo Credit: Kellie Anderson
Why can’t Nova Scotia be a centre for film production? Why can’t film production be a base industry in Nova Scotia? Why can’t kids be offered an engaging STEAM based program that continues on to film production offered as an occupational trade at the secondary level? Why can’t students finish high school with the skills to join the workforce? If all these things work together it propels the wheel forward.
Poster Credit: Kellie Anderson
So I started down a path with those questions in mind. Following the advice of Joe Strummer, who professed that it’s best to know the system in order to take on the system, I went back to university to pursue a Bachelor of Education.
A soul crushing experience for a creative seeking innovation, I would not recommend undertaking without full battle gear. I was, in short, told to stay in my own lane. But decades of working in the trenches of film production does foster tenacity, resourcefulness and a protective shell, so I carried on.
Poster Credits: Kellie Anderson
Going ‘Rogue’.
Concurrently, I developed the groundwork for a film institute and film festival with friends Gareth Roberts (Halifax) and Lisa Kurtz (Brisbane). A basecamp for what is possible in education and collaboration, teamed up with an avenue for projection and promotion. Rogue Wave Institute started out of the gate with a film society for young filmmakers twelve years plus and the Rogue Wave Film Festival hosted it’s first screening this past August, to break the seal. Based on the South Shore, open to an audience beyond geographical borders, celebrating makers and making.
Photo Credit: Kellie Anderson
A lofty goal to shift the status quo? Well sure, but I’ve never been one to back away from the dark horse. We witnessed first hand that the mechanics of our world can change in a day during the pandemic. That we can push forward amazing things if we work together for the greater good. This province has all of the potential to be a mecca for storytelling. It’s the sense of community that sets Nova Scotia apart and the pioneering spirit that encourages innovation. That is what brought many of us here and keeps us coming back.
Change and a Good Idea.
It’s a pivotal time for change. The infrastructure can’t keep up with a growing population, after years of decline. It forces the door open for options to fill the gap. I’m standing by with my pitch package to fill the call for content.
I’m a behind the scenes gal, as many creatives are. Grandstanding is not my jam. But I think you can make change happen if you keep a good idea constantly in your narrative. I am a product of education by experience and I know that it can ignite a love of learning for a lifetime, from both perspectives of a student and a teacher. Once you build a great crew, anything is possible.
I am still that kid trying out whatever I dream up, which I have learned over time is the base ingredient for progress. Encouraging that directive forward amplifies growth.
The future deserves better.
So I pass along this good idea in my narrative.
Video Image Credit: Kellie Anderson
Follow/Connect with Kellie.
Follow on IG @straydogarthouse
Website: www.straydogarthouse.com
“History of the Laboratory - Located in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Stray Dog Art House is a workshop based art space that does things a little differently, a little edgier, a little bit against the grain. We believe that art is what an artist produces and an artist is anyone with an intent to create.”
Rogue Wave Festival.
Rogue Wave Film Festival: www.roguewavefilmfestival.com
Youtube Promotion: video link here
Opening Mahone Bay to the World:
• To celebrate film and arts culture on the south shore
• To draw a vibrant audience to Mahone Bay and surrounds
• To provide education on film, the arts and education
• To showcase local filmmakers, artisans, culture and business
Other Kellie Posts.
〰 The Hatching of a Seaside Art House • Kellie • AP Connections Blog. • 2022
〰 Antigonight Art After Dark. Kellie and Maggie Kat • AP Connections Blog. • 2022
〰 Stories. Storytellers. Makers and Creators. Kellie • Contributors Listing + Info.
Credit Note: Photos for my photo collages in this post - provided by Kellie