Growing up in a place where the community felt small, artist Vivek Shraya can relate to a place like Prince George and looks forward to sharing her performance at Two Rivers gallery.

Shraya is scheduled to speak at Two Rivers gallery, Prince George BC, Tuesday Nov 28th as part of the Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) series of events.

Shraya was born in Alberta and is now a Toronto-based multidisciplinary creator and artist. She’s signed with Mint Records, published with Penguin, filmed with CBC & HBO (à la How to Fail as a Popstar), tends to an associate professor post in the University of Calgary’s English department where she teaches creative writing, and has received accolades for her involvement in all of the above.

When CFUR News asked the Alberta born and Toronto raised Shraya why she wanted to play Prince George, she responded, 'Because I grew up in Edmonton, my heart belongs to smaller communities that are trying to make sense of this world.' Now living in Toronto, she recognizes that there are many more resources available in bigger cities.

In this wide-ranging discussion, journalist Ian Gregg and Vivek Shreya also talk about the challenges of building community -- whether it be Prince George, Edmonton or wherever a person may live. While acknowledging that building community can be a challenge anywhere, they talk about some of the  dynamics in Prince George which need to change to be more inclusive and supportive of Queer Culture in particular.

She reminds listeners to do their best to think outside of their own lived experiences and practice empathy. When it comes to not failing as a popstar, she remarks with a laugh, “Just don’t worry about it."

The session can be joined virtually as well through the IWAU website.

Vivek Shraya is set to perform at Two Rivers Gallery 6:30-8:30pm in Prince George BC, Tuesday Nov 28th as part of the Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) series of events Photo Credit - IWAU