Amy Grace sits down with Jenna Oosterholt from The Ville Caffeine Bar to talk about how the social distancing measures during the pandemic has affected Jenna both personally and professionally.
Halley Davies
IATSE 667 Camera Assistant & Freelance Director of Photography
Halley can be found giving her whole self to her union and freelance work behind the camera, while also finding ways to honour her busy and quieter seasons through various creative outlets.
Halley is passionate about working on projects that have value to the viewer and takes great care in how she prepares approaches her work both physically and mentally.
She also happens to bring a healthy reflection in what she accomplishes and communicates, allowing herself and others to shift perspective and see differently.
MORE HALLEY
Aren Morris
Fine Arts Specialist, Facilitator, Writer, Mom & Wife
Aren can be found working with schools to create space for students to explore fine arts, facilitating the 'Creating Space' retreats, while also embracing her role as a wife of fifteen years and mother to two young boys.
Aren is wholehearted about channelling creativity in all that she does as an arts specialist, writer, and especially as a mother where she takes great care and energy in helping to create an atmosphere for her children to grow and discover who they are.
She also happens to carry a fantastic ability to ground herself in the present moment and find words and concepts to share that bring awareness, creative ideas and insight to the surface of all that she does and to everyone she interacts with.
MORE AREN
WEBSITES
https://sites.google.com/gnspes.ca/fineartspecialists-halifaxwest/
https://www.facebook.com/creatingspaceretreats/
Erica Meus-Saunders
Creator / Storyteller / Founder of Storybook-Entertainment
Erica can be found working at Screen Nova Scotia as their membership coordinator, while also running and growing her recently launched platform, ‘Storybook-Entertainment.’
Erica is passionate about the large format and possibilities in storytelling and is continually finding new ways to bring various communities, cultures and creative mediums together.
She also happens to bring a sense of thankfulness and appreciation for the collaborations she is apart of and seeks to uplift and celebrate others in every corner of her work.
MORE ERICA
Story-book Entertainment Platform
Story-Book Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/storybook.ca/
Erica’s Instagram
Rachel Bruch
Songwriter, Performer, Music Educator / Therapist & Visual Artist
Rachel Bruch can be found using her vast musical skills in a broad spectrum of platforms and is learning to adjust and balance, raising her one-year-old daughter amidst it all.
Rachel seeks to remain grounded in her creative entrepreneurship and aims to find connections with others through the projects she pursues.
She also happens to carry a genuine and peaceful presence with her that enters into her conversations with others and the music she creates.
MORE RACHEL
Website
https://bluelobelia.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/bluelobeliamusic/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/bluelobeliamusic/posts/?ref=page_internal
Jenna Oosterholt
Entrepreneur
Jenna can be found running the Ville Caffeine Bar in downtown Halifax, N.S., while also harnessing her passion for people by working to bring an element of entertainment to those who frequent her establishment.
Jenna is enthusiastic about bringing others a unique take on coffee, community and foodservice and remains grounded by working on her entrepreneurial goals by reminding herself of her core values in creativity and people.
She also happens to carry unique energy that brings her closer to others and continues to propel her forward in all that she does.
MORE JENNA
https://www.instagram.com/thevillecaffeinebar/
Website
Jasmine Alexander
Artist & Musician
Jasmine Alexander can be found using her passion for art and creativity in her work as an event coordinator for a downtown business improvement association, while also maintaining her studio practice as an oil, watercolor and gouache painter.
Jasmine is a strong believer in creativity being fuel for personal identity and expression and brings that value system into how she approaches her studio practice and community work.
She also happens to find humor in life easy and holds space for others tenderly while also encouraging them in their personal and creative lives.
MORE JASMINE
Website
http://jasminealexanderart.com
https://www.instagram.com/jasminealexanderart/
Lifelines Instagram
Chelsea Rose
Paramedic & Social Media Figure
Chelsea Rose can be found embracing all aspects of creativity and collaboration through her social media platforms ‘Rose on the Coast’, while also balancing her career as a paramedic and working towards finishing her business degree.
Chelsea is passionate about local and worldwide collaboration, cultivating her creativity with everything she touches and using her platforms for sharing her most honest and authentic self.
She also happens to bring a beautiful sense of celebration and fun into everything that she does and at the same time isn’t afraid to address more serious topics when the need arises.
She is Brilliant
MORE CHELSEA ROSE
Website
Hannah Hicks
Artist
Hannah can be found selling and representing her art in various art shows, events and fundraisers, while also investing in her family and taking deep joy in her new role as ‘Auntie’.
Hannah is highly passionate and finds deep meaning in coming alongside others by connecting, fundraising and bolstering others through her abstract art.
She also happens to carry a joy for creativity that her passion and enthusiasm for it not only leaks out in her work, but right into every interaction she has with those around her.
MORE HANNAH
Website
https://www.hannahhicksart.com
https://www.facebook.com/HannahHicksArt/
Rebecca Thomas
Poet & Activist
Rebecca can be found focusing on trying to improve the lives of others by using her words in forms such as poetry, children’s books, advising, strategy development, and diversity inclusion practices, while also staying present in her own identity as a Mi’kmaq person.
Rebecca gives incredible insight on taking account of ones own bias, privilege and world view and is able to marry that eye opening insight with an incredible amount of wisdom in how to harness it for growth and connection with others.
She also happens to maintain a rooted presence that allows for tenderness and grace to be present as she carefully discerns her words and the words of others.
More Rebecca
Twitter
@beccaleat
Artists In Residence
Devon Pennick-Reilly
Filmmaker & Creative Arts Facilitator
Devon can be found studying at NASCAD University, working with a group called Art Bikers which brings free art programs to underserved communities, while also staying open to where her creativity takes her.
Devon loves seeing what art can do and is passionate about creating and being a part of collaborative projects that bring each person’s talents and skills together in ways akin to a colourful mosaic.
She also happens to carry a beautiful openness with her that creates space for others and truly listens to others and the world around her.
MORE DEVON
Website:
Autumn Grant
Co-founder of Flo Meditation & Wellness / People and Culture Leader
Autumn can be found running her business Flo Meditation, while also using her love for creativity in all that she does, be it cooking at home, spending time with her young daughter and whatever else she touches.
Autumn is enthusiastic about creating community, following your passions and celebrating the mind and body transformation that comes through meditation and wellness.
She also happens to show up for herself with or without her daughter in tow and embraces the journey of what it means to be a woman who leads.
More Autumn
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAMS
Meghan MacPherson
Massage Therapist & Business Owner
Meghan can be found running and working at her registered massage therapy business ‘Aura Massage Therapy’ while also working individually with her clients to support both their mental and physical health.
Meghan is passionate about making one on one connections with her clients and seeks to create a safe space that matches their unique individual needs.
She also happens to carry an open atmosphere about her that allows for easy communication, depth of insight and quick empathy.
MORE MEGHAN
Website
https://www.auramassagetherapy.ca
Denika Coakley
Designer & Woodworker
Denika can be found working and running her own business ‘DC Woodworks’ while also thoughtfully investing in her two daughters lives.
Denika is passionate about bringing both artistic design and woodwork together, is constantly working with her hands in all forms of creativity and expression and believes that being your most raw and true self is of value in this world.
She also happens to bring a depth and sense of ease in the room that welcomes others to relax and be themselves.
MORE DENIKA
Shop
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DCWW?ref=search_shop_redirect
https://www.instagram.com/dc_woodworks/
Rachael Delano
Musician, Teacher & Director
Rachael can be found exploring how to combine sustainability, art, and music in all aspects of her work, while also maintaining her many independent contracts by directing choirs, teaching her own students, and being the co-lead arranger for a community singing group, ‘The Big Sing’.
Rachael is passionate about all aspects of the work that she does and this leads her to be consistently changing and innovating in how she approaches her work.
She also happens to carry a quiet rhythm to her presence that is calming to all those who are around her. It’s that authenticity and genuine joy for the moment she carries that reminds us to stay true and present in all that we do.
MORE RACHAEL
WEBSITE
https://www.rachaeldelano.com/teaching.html
Adrienne Kehler
Birth Doula & Child Birth Educator
Adrienne can be found educating and supporting new parents and others in the various aspects of birth, while currently relocating her family and ‘business’ from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Ottawa, Ontario.
Adrienne is thrilled by the process of educating and supporting women in their Individual birth journeys and works to give space for a variety of information, methods and insight while also creatively thinking outside the box to create a wholistic birthing experience that uplifts and equips.
She also happens to empower the women and men she works with by her ability to listen deeply to their specific needs and desires and connecting them with the information they need.
MORE ADRIENNE
Website
Amy Chandler
Hand Embroidery Artist
Amy can be found creating whimsical, colourful and high quality embroidery pieces while also making space for herself and others who deal with mental illness by sharing her own life and methods of coping by ‘crafting it out’.
Amy is inspired by and finds deep satisfaction in creating a home that is reflective of her creativity, is cozy and brings her and those who inhabit her space, joy.
She also happens to lighten up the spaces she inhabits with a bright and tender atmosphere that brings us closer as people and encourages us to be tender with ourselves.
MORE AMY
Website / Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/friday55
Kaitlyn Adair
Nurse & Filmmaker
Kaitlyn can be found teaching yoga, running two film companies which focus on feminism and social justice, community empowerment and mentorship, while also working as a nurse
Kaitlyn is a woman who sees beyond the surface and reaches deep to create spaces for those she works with and the broader community to feel empowered, safe and inspired.
She also happens to maintain a personal self awareness that moves those around her to become more self aware and in turn, become more aware of others.
MORE KAITLYN ADAIR
WEBSITE
FEAST MEDIA
https://www.facebook.com/feastmediainc/?ref=profile_intro_card
FACEBOOK PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/creativewellnessandyoga/?ref=profile_intro_card
Élana Camille
Illustrator, Artist & Creative Content Producer
Élana can be found collaborating with brands, media publications and various companies, while also embracing and finding new ways to honour the evolution and change in her own unique journey as a creative entrepreneur.
Élana is motivated to create illustrations that connect with her clients intentions and also finds an ability to be inspired and refreshed through her love for travel.
She also happens to have a tenacious spirit that has carried her through each new step of her personal and professional life and is a carrier of enthusiasm for anyone who wants to step out and try something new.
More Elana
Website
https://www.elanacamillecreates.com
Kirstin Howell | “Kiki”
Actor & Teacher
Kiki can be found acting in theatre, film and television, while also coaching and teaching a variety of students in their projects and performance skills.
Kiki is motivated by bringing humour to the table in her work and life and finds a unique way to create and share in unity and abundance for not just the experienced performamce artist, but the new and up and coming.
She also happens to have a way of carrying a gracious, encouraging and uplifting spirit while also leaving you with incredibly constructive feedback and advice that leave you inspired and wanting to strive further in your life and work.
More Kiki
The L.A. Technique
https://www.facebook.com/TheL.A.Technique/
The Insta