The Story Exchange Face/Arm-Painting was a community art project created to bring Richmond neighbours together through storytelling and creativity. Held in August 2026 at Garry Point Park, the project invited people of all ages to share a personal story, memory, hobby, or something meaningful to them. I then turned their stories into small face or arm paintings using symbols, images, or patterns connected to what they shared.
Rather than asking people to simply choose from a standard menu of designs, I encouraged them to come up with something personal. Over the two afternoons, people shared all kinds of interests, from soccer and tap dancing to favourite cartoon characters and flowers such as cherry blossom. Some participants told me they were especially happy to have the freedom to choose something that represented them, rather than simply selecting from sample designs.
The project also included a “Living Gallery.” After each painting, I took an instant photo and invited the participant to write the story behind their chosen design on a sticky note. The photos and stories were displayed throughout the day, and participants enjoyed looking at what others had shared. It was lovely to see people get inspiration from one another and discover the different interests and stories within their community.
There were also some unexpected moments of connection. Families who were having picnics or flying kites nearby joined the activity, and some later shared food with us. As a Richmond resident, I already feel connected to this community, but receiving this kind of warmth and generosity from my neighbours was something I did not expect.
One of my favourite things I learned was that children are wonderful teachers when it comes to creativity. Adults sometimes hesitate when choosing a design, while children often know exactly what they want and why. One girl chose a unicorn and told me that a unicorn is magical. It reminded me that even a familiar image can have a very personal meaning.
One family returned later in the day with their grandmother, who was flying home that night on a journey of more than 12 hours. The grandmother chose a whale to represent the long journey ahead. It was meaningful to see how the project created a memory for the whole family. Another family had two boys who were playing soccer nearby. They learned they could have soccer designs. One chose a soccer ball on fire and the other chose a soccer ball with water, before happily returning to their game.
I am grateful for the opportunity to hear these stories and create something personal from them. The project reminded me that community connection can begin with something as simple as a painting and a conversation.
