The Evolution of a Maker

Barb English’s article “The Evolution of a Maker” is on the front page of Sage-ing Magazine!  

“Art is simply one of those things we must do so that our spirit continues to grow,” she writes as she documents her journey from working as a special needs teacher to working with WP Puppet Theatre!

The Okanagan Institute produced the Sage-ing publication, whose Manifesto for The Journal of Creative Aging reads that it “exists to help you document your creative pursuits with care and integrity, to honour your truth. It’s time for you to join us. Tell your story, make your next chapter.”

Barb was our former VIEW Program manager, VIEW Facilitator Training Course developer, education consultant, and workshop facilitator.

View Gala Event

One of Barb’s other recent successes was the Gala event for VIEW for the Inside held December in 2022, at the Calgary Central Library, in conjunction with the art exhibit of VIEW puppets.

We celebrated the impact of this unique award-winning program over nine years, released the Research Paper on VIEW efficacy undertaken by Dr. Kate Dupuis at Sheridan University, and launched the VIEW Facilitator Training Program, which is available through the Centre of Excellence for Therapeutic Recreation in Continuing Care.

We also ate lots of baklava catered by Tasse Bakery, watched presentations by past participants (thank you, Tazim!) and heard from facilitators and program designers Suzanne and Barb. Glenn Taylor and Wendy Passmore-Godfrey – original program developers, MC’ed. Kyle D. Mack, WPTS Board Chairman, spoke about the imperative to address mental health in Calgary and the potential of puppetry.  And we were honoured that Councillor Andre Chabot attended and shared his puppet appreciation.

Thank you to all the volunteers, supporters, guests and audience for this very special event.
Photos below by Tori English