How does visual art find a home in a conference about affordable housing? 

Well, the team at BC's Housing Central always gives conference delegates a different way of exploring the issues by showcasing the incredible talent among individuals accessing affordable housing and/or experiencing homelessness.

Edzy Edzed, 'Alleylike' - Over the past few years, artist Edzy Edzed has focused on a series of ink sketches on wood depicting scenes in the alleys of the DTES

This year, like 2020, the Housing Central Conference will take place online from November 15-17. The Art Expo, officially launched October 27 and is available now to view.

Curator Robi Smith, Arts and Culture Co-ordinator with The City of Port Coquitlam, says this year's theme of dislocation and resilience, “stems from the lived experience of the artists, many of whom are pushed to the margins because of differences in physical or mental ability, poverty, mental illness, homelessness, addictions or systemic racism.” She notes that for a lot of artists, “making art is a way for them to escape inner demons, restore a sense of self, heal towards resilience and find joy through the act of creation.”

Have a listen as Robi Smith shares her passion for the artists and their work in a conversation with reporter Sandy Goldman.

'Resilience' by Nina Aldewood - "Being a therapeutic tool for me, I use my art to connect with the world around me", says the artist.