Studio Talks: "The art of Memoir" with Julie Green & "Finding belonging in the ordinary" with Sumera Khan

Studio Talks & Mingle: Get Inspired

Julie M Green is the author of Motherness: a Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance (ECW Press). Her writing has been featured in the Washington Post, HuffPost, The Globe and Mail, Today’s Parent, Chatelaine, and more. In 2024, she was a finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize. Julie has appeared on CTV, BBC Radio, SiriusXM, and CBC Radio. She writes The Autistic Mom on Substack. For more information, visit JulieMGreen.ca.

“What makes a life story worth telling? In The Art of Memoir, Julie reveals how to turn real experiences into meaningful stories. We’ll explore what memoir is (and isn’t), why memory is always a little slippery, and how reflection and voice matter just as much as what actually happened. Whether you’re a reader, a writer, or someone who’s ever thought “I could never write a memoir,” this talk explores how personal stories help us make sense of our lives—and connect with one another.”

Sumera Khan is a visual artist, arts educator, and community builder based in Katarokwi/Kingston. Working primarily in oils, her work explores storytelling, memory, and identity through themes of caregiving and domestic space. As a BIPOC artist and caregiver, she is committed to accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful connection through the arts.

In Interior Worlds & Objects, she invites participants to look closely at the spaces and objects that quietly shape our lives. Through a visual presentation of my oil paintings and sketches of domestic interiors, She’ll share how rooms and everyday objects become living archives, witnesses to care, emotion, and belonging.

As both a caregiver to individuals living with invisible disabilities and a BIPOC artist, Sumera has learned that painting the familiar can reveal hidden stories of labour, love, and identity. Together, we’ll reflect on how memory and empathy lives in the details of home; the chair, the cup, the window light, and how each of us carries our own stories within these familiar forms.

To learn more about the artist visit https://www.sumerakhan.com

Join us for an evening inside the working studio of Michelle Reid. This is your chance to step behind the curtain, hear about my process, and engage in meaningful conversation.

Meet: Connect with like-minded artists, creators, and enthusiasts.
Mingle: Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere for conversation and networking.
Muse: Discuss ideas, inspiration, and the challenges of the creative practice.
Inspire: Leave with fresh perspectives and renewed energy for your own work.
Refreshments will be served. Space is limited—ticketsrequired!