Transgender youth who want to be recognized as artists found a safe and accepting community at Camp Trans Tipping Point, an annual arts retreat hosted by the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association.
This was the second year of the program, which consisted of two weekend-long artistic retreats for transgender youth age 10 to 18. A total of 35 trans youth artists from across British Columbia came together to express their art, socialize with peers and form support networks.
鈥淭aking part in the Transgender Tipping Point was very empowering,鈥� said Astrid Neilson-Miller, 15. 鈥淚t was a great feeling to be surrounded and welcomed by non-judgmental people.鈥�
Over the course of the two weekends, the youth were encouraged to talk about family, body image, coming out and other aspects of their lives.
The young artists attended workshops, played games and participated in open-mic nights. The activities gave the participants an opportunity to make friends, discover role models and channel their experiences into unique works of visual art.
This was the second year of the program. Last year, the cohort created a book, written by and for transgender youth.
This year, they worked on visual arts, with media such as watercolour and acrylic paintings and pieces of sculpture.
鈥淎rt is a great way to change how people identify with trans youth,鈥� said Neilson-Miller, who revealed their gender identity to their parents two and a half years ago. 鈥淚t shows they have other facets.鈥�
This year鈥檚 project, funded by the Victoria Foundation, will culminate in a youth-created and curated public exhibition of the works. This collection provides a look into the lives of gender-diverse youth.
The plan is for the young people to assume leadership roles and to lead the project in the years ahead. The plan is to feature performing arts in 2020.
The Trans Tipping Point artists鈥� display runs April 6 to May 12 at the Legacy Maltwood Gallery, at the Mearns Centre in the McPherson Library at the University of Victoria.
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