Vancouver, B. C.
‘continuum’ is part of the exhibit ‘Emerging Creators Incubator’ at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (ECC) in Coquitlam, B.C. and is being showcased for a month duration from August 3 to September 3, 2023.
Mildred German
“Originally this piece was about my interest in time – it’s illusionary nature, the entanglements between past, present and future and how those entities influence me in their sacred dance with one another,” states Filipino-Canadian youth and contemporary dance talent Juan Imperial on his new dance project entitled ‘continuum’.
There are six emerging artists who are part of ‘Emerging Creators Incubator’ at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (ECC) in Coquitlam, B.C. which is a youth residency which is offered to emerging artists between the ages 18-30 who are engaged in performing, literary, and visual arts, and who live on the Coast Salish territories. Twenty-two year old Imperial is one of the six emerging artists who are given the opportunity to be part of this year’s ‘Emerging Creators Incubator’ by the ECC and is showcasing ‘continuum’. Meanwhile, ‘Echoes Of A Circle’ is the title of the group exhibition with other artists namely Pegah Ahmadi, Jordanna George, Alia Hijaab, Jullianna Oke, and Samantha Walters, in addition to Imperial. This year’s ‘Emerging Creators Incubator’ is in its third iteration.
According to the Evergreen Cultural Centre’s website https://evergreenculturalcentre.ca/, their 2023 Youth Residency and Mentorship Program is divided into three phases: Mentorship, Residency, and Showcase. With mentors namely Rebecca Bair, Sammie Chien, and Sara Khan & Sandeep Johal provide support, hands-on workshops, and artist talks for the participating emerging creators. Participants also get the opportunity to access the ECC facilities, such as the gallery wherein creations and archival
footages are presently screened and are being showcased.
JUAN IMPERIAL
Juan Imperial’s portfolio includes training in Contemporary Dance with the Modus Operandi which has provided dance training for young emerging dance professionals in Vancouver, BC.
Imperial has also been part of many Queer + Asian dance parties including the sold-out Ricecake at the EastSide Studios Warehouse, the Zodiac Kiki Ball in Portland, OR, USA, performing at the THINK PINK KIKI BALL sponsored by Absolut Vodka, and at the SPORTS BALL – A Kiki Vogue Ball. Amongst other dance events performances, Imperial has also been teaching beginners vogue sessions at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver, and has also been actively engaged with Van Vogue Jam Arts Society.
Juan Imperial (He/She/They) is an emerging Filipinx Queer, Non Binary Femme artist with roots in Vogue and Waacking. Juan has been spreading the joy of vogue to QTBIPOC for 6 years through Van Vogue Jam Arts Society. They see its powerful potential to be a vessel for liberation, protest, joy, and family and dedicates most of their time and energy to building up these communities. Currently, Juan is in the process of threading their ancestral and spiritual practices with dance and is discovering how these practices can help forge pathways to liberation in the body and in the community.
Who is an Emerging Creator?
An emerging creator is defined as an artist who works in any discipline within the visual and performing arts. They are between the ages of 18 – 30, in the early stages of their professional career, and are committed to the development of their craft and practice.
The Emerging Creators Incubator centers a multidisciplinary approach to the arts and will prioritize local emerging artists from the Tri-Cities area who engage in the performing, written and visual arts. Applications are also open to emerging creators from across the Vancouver Lower Mainland who are interested in engaging with this organization.
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