P.E.I. artists receive $50K in grants from province

It has been greater than 20 years since Tiffany Liu first picked up the pipa however solely not too long ago did she make the transfer to attempt to grow to be a full-time musician. 

“The sound of this instrument is so stunning,” she mentioned. “Even now, I take pleasure in enjoying it every single day at house.”

The pipa is a standard Chinese language instrument made out of wooden and formed like a pear. 

On the streets of Charlottetown, she mentioned individuals typically reply to her music with a easy “wow.” However in a single case, she remembers bringing a lady to tears.

“After they cried, I cried,” she mentioned. “I believed that I can do one thing for individuals … remodel my tales to be with their tales.”

Recording an album

Liu is one among 16 Island artists who not too long ago acquired a grant from the province to assist remodel an concept into actuality. 

Now, she is on a mission to create her very first album — a mixture of conventional Chinese language music combined along with her experiences from dwelling on P.E.I.

“I acquired $4,000. I’m going to spend it totally on the studio recording after which the remainder of it I’m going to spend on the manufacturing,” mentioned Liu.

“The tales I really feel behind these Chinese language conventional songs could be very a lot totally different from years in the past … The island gave me a lot love.”

Directing a movie

A complete of $50,000 was awarded via the provincial Arts Grants program. 

Artists acquired quantities starting from $1,500 to $7,000 to create initiatives centred round music, dance, poetry, theatre, movie and extra. 

“I bought a grant for $5,000 to make a movie known as Rebirth about altering the Black narrative in movie and in society generally,” mentioned filmmaker Dotun Adedoyin.

“I actually do consider that it is an important story to inform, particularly from the lens of Black individuals.”

Adedoyin mentioned he began as a photographer trying to seize moments in time however “you already know, how they are saying an image tells a thousand phrases? Video tells us extra.”

It was a film concerning the Central Park 5 that motivated Adedoyin to create this movie.

“It sort of made me surprise why there have been so many unfavourable elements of Black historical past simply being put out as movies,” he mentioned. 

“How about we do the opposite aspect of the spectrum and present the sweetness, the love, the crucial elements.”

‘Gave me the prospect’

Adedoyin has already completed a primary look that was filmed final December on Brackley Seaside. 

Now, he is within the casting stage for the ultimate movie and hopes to have post-production wrapped up by the autumn and a launch date set for both December or someday throughout Black Historical past Month. 

“I am attempting to inform extra tales that influence society and go away an important message behind,” he mentioned. 

As for Liu, she’s hoping to have her album prepared within the winter of 2022 and is encouraging different artists to additionally apply for grants even when they consider it is out of attain. 

“The grant gave me the prospect,” she mentioned. “I am so completely happy, so excited.”