Happy New Year - 2023

Let’s see what happens. That’s been my motto for my life, and I’m going to carry it into the New Year.

2022 was a huge and very different year for us. It was also a big learning experience as I worked through a newly diagnosed medical condition while creating my first full season with STORYHIVE. I did a shorter season the year before, which is available on TELUS OPTIK TV On Demand.

I have wanted to explore different forms of art since I was a child. I’ve always had big dreams. When I started noticing changes in my health from 2018 to 2021, along with previous health conditions, I knew I needed to move toward expanding my visual art and storytelling into film. I also wanted to share the work and stories of other artists.

I’ve always been a big reader, and I’ve written short stories for most of my life. I wanted to take that further. There is something about having an idea and not knowing if you will be able to follow through because of health that pushes you. It lit a fire under me and made me start learning and trying new things every week.

This has definitely caught on with my husband and partner, Tanner.

Many people may not know that Tanner had a project years ago where he interviewed bands from all over the world and reviewed music. He was very passionate about sharing their stories. I didn’t realize until much later, after we had met and he chose a business degree, that he had originally wanted to pursue journalism and writing, as well as create visual art.

This makes the work we are doing now very personal to both of us. We care deeply about capturing and sharing these stories. You never know how long the window of opportunity will be open, so if you have been thinking about trying something or applying for something, I encourage you to just try it this year. The worst that can happen is being told no or having something not work out, but what happens if it does?

I am feeling hopeful that I can work with my condition and treatments in 2023 while creating my second full season and my short film, along with other projects I am excited about. It took me the full year, but I am starting to understand what makes my condition worse and how to manage it better. Some things are easier to control, like not carrying heavy items, managing stress, avoiding very loud events, and getting enough sleep.

I am truly grateful for the opportunities STORYHIVE Connected by TELUS, the EAC, the CCA, and the EHC have given me over the past two years. Tanner and I also want to thank every participant in our series. You are all amazing. We are sincerely grateful for you and wish you all the best in 2023. All episodes are now available on TELUS OPTIK TV On Demand.

I am also very grateful that everyone involved has been so understanding and accommodating while I learned to work with this diagnosis and figure out how to create both my second docu series and my first community focused series. There were times Tanner nearly had to carry me out because I could barely stand by the end of an interview. Now, with what I have learned, I can avoid most of the major flare ups.

For season two, we once again have an amazing lineup of talented Edmontonians, and we have already filmed the first episode. These are artists whose work you may have seen around the city, or ones you may be curious to learn more about.

Season two is tentatively planned for a mid 2023 release, and Tanner and I are really excited to keep working on this and share it with the community.