Ready to see what living through a pandemic felt like around the world? Visit The Journal - a unique collective photography project giving insight into the lives of women around the world during COVID-19. This project was founded by our guest Charlotte Schmitz an award-winning documentary photographer. Her approach to her photography is deliberately personal and often subverts the traditional documentary approach, which allows her to convey her messages about women and migration. She grew up in the danish minority in Germany and studied documentary photography in Hanover. Charlotte's work has been published in The Washington Post and der Spiegel, among other international media outlets. She is the first recipient of the FotoEvidence W Award with her work La Puente. She speaks six languages and is currently based in Berlin where she cofounded Friendzone.Studio to develop creative communication for projects that matter.

Is digital art coming of age under COVID? Digital artist, designer, and creative technologist Annie Tung talks to us about her passion for surrealism and how she uses technology to build different worlds. She shares her inspiration behind "X" - a video installation @Gladstone Hotel's Annual Alternative Art & Design Exhibition: Come Up to My Room 2015. When she's not busy creating surreal digital art, Annie is a powerful advocate for women in technology. At a time when anyone with a phone can publish images and video, Annie gives us an introduction to the value and work involved in creating digital art. 

Isn't "professional storyteller" one of the coolest job titles out there? It goes much deeper though. Join us on this episode with Professional Storyteller Sarah Abusarar. Sarah comes from a long line of storytellers on her paternal side. She tells stories to both adults and children. Sarah has told at various cultural centers, museums, art galleries, festivals, libraries, parks and homes.  Her favorite stories are ones that promote social change. Sarah has also used stories in a therapeutic way, with  children in refugee camps as well as refugee children in Toronto, as part of their therapy. She teaches stories at the Parent Child Mother Goose Program. On this episode, Sarah shares her career journey and life experiences.  

An alumni of RBC's Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, Wali Shah is a poet and public speaker. He has toured Canada as a WE Day performer, and closed out President Barack Obama's keynote speech with a bespoke poetic message in Toronto. Wali also served as Poet Laureate for the City of Mississauga. His work inspires thousands to follow his voice, journey, and advocacy — Wali Shah is the people's messenger. On this episode, he shares his story, journey, process , inspiration and a soulful narration of his favorite works.

What stops you from living a creative life? On the border crossings podcast, we listen to stories and experiences from artists, innovators, community activators and people living creative lives. Together we unpack the magic of border crossings. If you are curious about living a creative life fearlessly, then this podcast is a dose of inspiration for you. This podcast is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Mississauga.

Bénédicte Desrus, an award-winning documentary photographer working throughout Europe, East Africa, the United States and Latin America, talks about the project that impacted her life the most. Her work is focused on humanitarian and social issues around the world. She often spends months with her subjects, exploring the lives of people ostracized by society and the communities they form to survive and find respect. On this episode, she shares her experiences and advice for upcoming photo journalists.

Multi-disciplinary visual artist, contemporary figurative painter and illustrator Claudio Ghirardo talks about his process and inspiration.  Claudio uses traditional art forms, such as painting and drawing, to explore stream of consciousness, narrative, process, and people. Claudio is one of the artists selected for the City of Mississauga's public art program "Art in Isolation".

Steve Ferguson, a proven Chief Executive Officer who's led private and public companies in Canadian and International settings, shares his vision for the Art Gallery of Mississauga as the Gallery Board's Treasurer and Interim Chairman. 

Linda Thomas, a musician  playing the French horn in a 55 piece concert band and with a philharmonic orchestra shares her journey as an artist and a community engaged arts program leader. Linda's also a 40+ year career executive with a solid history of not-for-profit management at many levels.