Volunteers share their experiences
This winter, we have had two visitors staying at the Deanery and doing some volunteer work. They took up our invitation to share some thoughts on their experiences. Watch for updates on upcoming projects from both Jeighk and Indigo.
Winter Artist in Residence
The Deanery is excited to be hosting, Jeighk, as artist in residence this winter. Jeighk is a queer shadow/movement artist who has been living in Halifax for the past seven years.
While at The Deanery, Jeighk has been studying movement through their own daily practice, and note-taking from various dance authors. Jeighk is thrilled to have Karen Bradley, Don Rieder and Jude Major, just down
the road, as generous sources of incredible knowledge in this field.
Jeighk is particularly excited about program planning for LGBTQ+ youth, emerging nature education, creative movement, shadow play and queer identity. The plan is to offer some shorter programing days at The Deanery in the upcoming months, with a possible overnight camp in the summer to give participants the opportunity to showcase their work at the SeaLight/SkyLight Festival in August!
Jeighk would like to connect with LGBTQ+ locals, program planners and organizations! Please call the Deanery if you would like to get in touch! Finally, they will be presenting some of their current work at The Deanery near the end of January. There will be time for feedback and questions following the performance.
Details will be posted on FB. Hope to see you there!
A Work/trade Experience
by Indigo Moon
This winter, I decided to spend the season of solitude and introspection outside of Halifax close to nature. A few friends suggested I reach out to the Deanery and as I was interested in expanding my knowledge in permaculture, I submitted a volunteer application.
I spent 6 weeks living at the Deanery, during the transition of autumn to winter. When I reflect on my stay, the thing that impacted me most was meeting the many inspiring people connected to the Deanery who are so passionate about the work they do towards creating a better world, socially and economically. Many people were wonderfully generous in sharing their knowledge with me. I’ve learned to split wood, create a labyrinth use a drill, studied permaculture, and become a better host and cook, to name a few. I’m excited to continue using these skills. and to develop a better understanding of living in a rural setting, among community.
The space itself has given me a lot. I’ve had days of quiet and solitude and I’ve had days that were full of music, community, and sharing. Winter is a quieter time for the Deanery, which was exactly what I needed – It became a place to rest, and get closer to myself. Surrounding the Deanery is a whimsical Forest that sparked my curiousity; an Oceanfront that brought me peace to watch and breathe in, and a Well across the road that brought me nourishment and inspired a poem.
I would certainly reccomend being a workstay volunteer at the Deanery for anyone looking to live a slower paced life and focus on learning, among a supportive and creative community. I am very grateful for my experience there and am thankful that it provided me with my first taste of living rurally in self sustainable and interdependant ways. I plan to continue this relationship with the Deanery and look forward to seeing it flow and evolve … and to creating a cookbook!
