My name is Kyra Kwak and I am currently a U3 student majoring in Art History with a minor concentration in International Development Studies. So far in my academic and professional experiences, I have strived to follow pursuits that integrate art with socially conscious causes, hoping to contribute to the world around me through the dissemination and encouragement of creative projects. In summer 2016, I was fortunate enough to act as the Design Intern for UNICEF USA as made possible by the Arts Internship Office, and in my final year here at McGill I wished to work in another capacity with similar combinations of creation and community support. Thankfully, I discovered the listing for the Curatorial and Research Coordinator position at Atelier CĂ©ladon, and was immediately drawn to the internship due to its centering of marginalized narratives in artistic development.
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Atelier CĂ©ladon acts as a community-based studio that supports multidisciplinary artistic projects around TiohtiĂ :ke (Montreal) through collaborative organization and the providing of platforms for creators, especially those underrepresented by mainstream media production such as racialized and gendered individuals. One of their upcoming projects is their residency for the public bath Bain Saint-Michel in the Mile End, which is now being renovated to become an exhibition space, art studio and tourist center in 2021.
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Some of my responsibilities as an intern included doing research on the history of the Bain Saint-Michel, specifically through the lens of gentrification and colonization. Such research led me to explore multiple topics such as the cultural significance of water, working-class community organizing in Montreal boroughs, gendered access to public baths in Montreal, and considerations of health and sanitation in city planning. Collecting related archival images and a multitude of academic sources has led to the creation of an online resource which will soon be published on the Atelier Céladon website for public access. Additionally, I maintained and grew social media engagement on Céladon’s social media platforms, which often involved pulling content from our archives and staying aware of creative career opportunities and artistic events around the city which could benefit our following. Finally, I worked with my supervisor to identify tasks which could aid in the organization of the studio, such as updating the artists’ residency program and curating a newsletter to ensure engaged participation with our members.
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One highlight was attending a meeting with several artistic groups who will take residency in the Bain Saint-Michel to discuss our creative goals for the space, considering key attributes such as collaborative efforts, accessibility and availability of resources. It was thrilling to meet with city officials and well-established creative companies such as Infinitheatre to provide my input on these topics, and also a wonderful opportunity to practice my French. In my time with Céladon, we also began discussing holding a “block party” event in Chinatown which would focus on promoting the work and music of artists around Montreal in a site-specific context, and I delved into research regarding the history and community dynamics of Montreal’s Chinatown and other Chinatowns across Canada. Although the event did not take place due to extenuating circumstances, it was exciting to discuss the logistics of planning an event such as budgeting, calling for artists, and group collaboration, and I highly value the knowledge that I gained through preparing for this particular proposal.
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I am not currently receiving academic credit for this internship, but look forward to utilizing the research I have completed to shape my scholarly focuses in the remainder of my degree. I continue to work with Atelier CĂ©ladon in an informal capacity to publish the research I have completed regarding the Bain Saint-Michel, and hope to work with them again to participate in future projects. As I move forward from this internship, I find my passion for both art and community research has been reinvigorated, and I wish to support both local creators and the talented works they produce in a similar manner through my future positions.
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I received funding for the internship through the Archie Malloch Undergraduate Internship in Public Learning Award. This stipend helped me significantly in supporting my living and transportation costs as I navigated Montreal throughout the summer, and allowed me to focus my time upon the internship without financial stressors. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity that has been afforded to me by this award, the Arts Internship Office, and Atelier CĂ©ladon, and hope to honor the experiences I have garnered through my internship by continuing to forge a conscious and creative path in my future professional endeavors.
