Thank you

This exhibition is a collaborative process. It is not possible for something like this to be the work of just one person. I am grateful to you all.

I know that, since so many years have passed and so many people were involved, I will miss the names of some who made a huge difference to this work. I am sorry for leaving out some of you. It is not intentional.

But I’ll begin with all those whose images are here. — You are the show. You are the reason for the show and you have created the doorway to fresh understanding and acceptance. Thank you all so much!

I thank you, Joe Barnwell, for your faithful support as I created this and afterwards when it travelled to various places for showing. You arrived once to a showing in Victoria to surprise me. It meant a lot. — Thank you Maila and Freyja Barnwell, as you accepted the time I spent away from home to draw people and put the work up for viewing. — Jack and Diane Barnwell, though no longer here to receive their thanks, drove me more than once to Kent institution and waited hours ’til my interviews were done. Once we drove through some of the worst road conditions imaginable. It was sleeting out. Cars were all over the place in the ditch. We crawled along at 30k an hour! But we arrived safely and I was able to draw some very special people. — And John Stephens, you helped me take the show to even more places over the years, driving the northern route whenever I asked, helping me move and hang the work. Your belief in the show made it possible to continue its impact. Thank you.

Then there are those who helped me promote this work, who believed in its value from the start — Val Napoleon, Karen Erickson, Richard Overstall. You formed the Fear in Fragment committee, and both created and distributed promotional material which connected me with the various venues where the exhibition was seen. I will not forget our great meetings and the service you did for me. Thank you. — Thank you, also, for introducing me to David Smyth, my first sitter for the work. I was very nervous, but Karen, you held a dinner to make the meeting easier. And afterwards, when I drew David, he sat patiently in his judge’s robes in his living room (over his jeans and T-shirt) reading a fishing magazine. He never said a word for a couple of hours! When it was over he said “Well, that was fun!” — We remained friends over the years.

I needed connections to meet the people I drew. Judge Carlie Trueman and Michael Jackson (L.L.B., L.L.M., Q.C.) you were instrumental in making it possible for me to draw people who were in prison. Your advocacy really made the show what it is. The prison perspective defines the show. I thank you for this and for being part of the show itself. — Michael is a “speaking” participant and Carlie is part of the large mural. She also presided over the court case where I drew some of the images for the mural. — And once inside the Institutions so many people, staff and inmates, helped me navigate the system. I wish I remembered your names. I do remember your thoughtful assistance.

Others sent me in the direction of people to draw. I will not remember everyone, sadly, but among those who gave names and references were: Sylvia James (my dear sister), Diane Barnwell, David Smyth, the Fear in Fragment Committee, Jim Green (former Vancouver City Counsellor and Downtown East Side advocate), Michael Jackson and Jim and Geniene Elliot. I am very grateful.

Finally there were people who took me in and assisted me in other ways when I was creating the show and presenting in various venues. — Thank you John Havens for the invitation to show the work and speak in Quesnel at an inter-professional conference. Thank you and Dorie for sharing your home with me and John (Stephens) while we were there. — Thank you Sylvia James for helping me hang the show on several occasions. It is always fun to hang work with you. We work well together. — Thank you Mom and Dad (I’m sad you are no longer here to receive these thanks) for always being ready to provide a place for me to stay when I was in Victoria. — And Diane and Jack Barnwell (my first in-laws) thank you that your home was always open when I needed it. — Antonia Mills, thank you for inviting the show to the Women’s Conference at the University of Northern British Columbia. And for the wonderful space you provided in your home by the lake for me and John. — Thank you Carlie Trueman for the invitation to show the work at the Judge’s conference in Vancouver. — Deanne McIndoe and Chris Taylor, I appreciate the time spent with you and your warm welcome into your home. It was a special time. — Pat and Ken Green, you also gave me a warm place to be and great company when I drew people at the Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, not to mention driving me back and forth many times. — Tara and David Cullis/Suzuki you too fed and homed me many times as I worked on this project. You always welcome me. Many thanks to you. — There is another couple who took me in when I showed the work at Matsqui Institution. Sadly I don’t remember your names! If I do I will rectify this situation. I had a wonderful time with you, was very impressed with your family and your kindness. Thank you so much.

Thank you all so much.