By Jalene Moman, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
2-minute read
Artbeat Studio Inc. is a not-for-profit charity in Winnipeg promoting mental health through creative expression. Uyen Pham, executive director of Artbeat Studio Inc., sums up the importance of their work perfectly: “Creativity isn’t just a nice to have, it is essential for healthy people, a healthy population, and a healthy city.”
In February, we sat down with Pham to discuss Artbeat Studio’s impact on participants, events to attend, and upcoming initiatives.
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce (WCC): What is Artbeat Studio Inc., and what drew you to this work?
Uyen Pham (UP): Artbeat Studio is a community arts and wellness space where we provide free studio space and creative spaces for artists with lived mental health challenges. It’s a place for people to build community, create art – all for free!
When I was job searching, I was looking for something that really fed my soul. I’ve always liked art and always dabbled in it here and there, so just having a place to be surrounded by it and really help people just filled me intrinsically, and it felt right being here.
WCC: Can you share a moment or story that really captures the impact Artbeat Studio has on participants?
UP: I’ve seen people come in [to Artbeat] full of uncertainty, anxiety, and they leave our program with high confidence and just so much happiness. We have many of those stories and that’s because one of our mottos here is: when one is well, all is well. That’s kind of what Artbeat does; we build confidence.
WCC: For someone who’s just discovering Artbeat Studio, what would you recommend as a great first experience with you?
UP: Come grab a table at our adult drop-in art centre, Studio Central, in Portage Place. We give you supplies, and you can just create! Make new friends and start building that community for yourself. Another low-key way to start is to attend some of our events, like our First Friday events and programs like Art from the Heart.
WCC: Artbeat Studio is located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. How does the location shape your work?
UP: Being downtown really connects us to the heartbeat of the city. We bring activity and foot traffic downtown, and we’re proud to bring life to the city.
WCC: What’s next for Artbeat Studio – are there any upcoming initiatives or goals you’re excited about?
UP: We’re really excited about being part of the downtown revitalization, continuing our work inside Portage Place. And just creating space and opportunities for our artists, who are mini entrepreneurs, add to the economy of the city.
WCC: Why is being part of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce important to Artbeat Studio?
UP: Being part of The Chamber really connects us to the broader business [community], and that’s very important for a not-for-profit charity like ours, where we can make those connections and have those supporters.
