THE ANNUAL PRIDE POSTCARD
FUNDRAISER IS BACK!
Supporting the Rainbow Refuge Program
Join in the celebration of strength and encouragement as Riyaz Sharan of RSS Designs collaborates with visionary artists Robin Good, Agatha Lidia Chacinski, Mars Art, Zeph Mind, Amanda Shultz, June Gould, Jen McLeod Suzanne Foss and Garth Wiebe in this year's Pride Postcard Fundraiser. Together, they pay tribute to the vibrant spirit of Pride month while providing vital support to marginalized communities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
Experience the transformative power of art as these talented individuals champion inclusivity and empower those in need. By participating in this fundraiser, you directly uplift and support the well-being of LGBTQ+ minorities.
As Riyaz marks the remarkable fifth year of this significant initiative, he expresses heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary collaborating artists whose contributions embody the themes of strength and encouragement, inspiring us all.
Secure your exclusive Pride pack—a collection of postcards, stickers, magnets, and greeting cards, each a testament to the resilience and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community. This year's theme is "Be Apologetically You." For only $30 (plus GST), including shipping, this collection provides the perfect canvas for sharing moments of pride and celebration.
Even if circumstances prevent you from making a purchase, you can still make a meaningful impact. Show your support by making a donation, empowering the Rainbow Refuge Program to continue its transformative work in providing a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals facing unique challenges.
Let's come together to create a world that embraces diversity, celebrates individuality, and uplifts every member of the LGBTQ+ community. Secure your exclusive Pride Postcard pack now and be an integral part of this impactful movement.
A HUGE thank you to nexGen Grafix for being the print sponsor for this project!
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About the Rainbow Refuge Program
Experience the transformative impact of the Rainbow Refuge Program, a remarkable initiative by the Newcomer Centre. This program is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ newcomers by fostering a sense of community, reducing social isolation, and building connections that become their chosen family.
Through the Newcomer Centre Rainbow Refuge Program, LGBTQ+ newcomers receive invaluable guidance and resources to navigate their new lives in Canada. From learning about Canadian life and healthcare to exploring topics that promote wellbeing, this program equips individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.
Embracing the power of regular social interactions, the program creates opportunities for LGBTQ+ newcomers to form meaningful connections, gain confidence, and forge positive memories. It serves as a vital support system, addressing challenges and providing relevant local information to help individuals navigate and embrace their LGBTQ+ identities within the broader local community.
Join us in supporting the Rainbow Refuge Program as it empowers LGBTQ+ newcomers, offering them a welcoming space to find support, build friendships, and embrace their journey in a new land. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive community that celebrates diversity and fosters understanding.
Meet The Artists
RSS Designs - Organizer
About RSS Designs
Riyaz Sharan, a versatile artist and photographer, has a remarkable knack for finding beauty in simplicity. With his creative prowess, he uncovers hidden wonders within the ordinary, reminding us of the extraordinary essence that enriches our everyday experiences. Prepare to be captivated by his unique talent and inspiring vision.
Agatha Lidia Chacinski
About Agatha Lidia Chacinski
My name is Agatha Lidia Chacinski, born in Beaver Hills House (Edmonton) on Treaty Six Territory, in 1986. I am a first-generation citizen of Canada. My mediums of choice are watercolour, acrylic, coloured pencil, ink, gouache, linoleum prints, mixed medium art, as well as digital illustration.
Amanda Schutz
About Amanda
Amanda Schutz is an Edmonton-based illustrator and creative director. When she isn't running her design shop, Curio Studio, you can find her drawing many many plants.
Garth Wiebe
About Garth Wiebe
Garth Wiebe is a multidisciplinary artist currently residing on Treaty 6 Territory. He delights in trying new ways to express the ideas and thoughts, but consistently returns to acrylic paint, analog collage, photography, poetry, and the beloved ballpoint pen. As a lover of stories, creating has always been a way for him to make his ideas come to life, to be present, and to share stories with others. In the past few years, his work has been in several publications. You can support him and view his artwork on Instagram @maketomyartscontent and on Ko-fi at
https://ko-fi.com/garthwiebe.
Jen McLeod
jenmcleod.com
About Jen McLeod
Jen McLeod is a wedding and family photographer who does fashion photography for funsies. She grew up in Edmonton, graduated from Victoria School of Visual and Performing Arts without taking any photography or art classes, and now lives in Ucluelet BC on Vancouver Island’s desolate edge. She likes fog.
June Gould
About June Gould
My name is June Lawrence, I am a 24-year-old, queer, non-binary, transgender, neurodivergent artist born in Calgary, Alberta. I grew up in a low-income family, with intergenerational poverty. I am inspired greatly by the places, faces, voices, and music that I am surrounded by. My art explores themes of home, emotion, displacement, politics, isolation, and work to name a few. I try to shed new perspectives in my works and offer the viewers the space for their own reflection into the feeling and space of my works. I enjoy working across different mediums and experimenting.
Mars Art
About Mars Art
With a history in dance, music, and an array of fine art forms, I discovered that the arts allowed me to express myself and my feelings in ways that I could not display as vividly in any other form. Throughout my years of training, I had discovered my portal to expressing true unfiltered emotions. Art is a place where I can fully express myself and be rewarded for it. By trade I am a painter, at heart & within my soul, I am an artist - a creator.
Robin Good Art & Design
About Robin Good Art & Design
My name is Robin Good (she/her) and I am a full-time freelance graphic designer, illustrator, and fine artist. My work is inspired by my admiration of all creatures, especially cats! I love to paint colourful, and very expressive animal portraits with relatable feelings to build compassion for each other.
Suzanne Foss
suzannefossart.com
About Suzanne Foss
Suzanne Foss (she/her) was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She graduated from MacEwan University in 2020 with a bachelor of design and now works as a graphic artist for a local apparel company called Good Luck Sock. Animals designs are her favourite thing to create at her work. In addition to working full time as a graphic artist, she pursues her own artwork on the side by participating in many annual art events in the Edmonton area such as The Whyte Avenue Art Walk, Strathearn Art Walk, and Night Of Artists Art Walk. Her personal artwork is inspired by her synesthesia (a phenomenon whereby one sense is triggered by another) so Suzanne "sees" music when she hears it. She embeds the complete lyrics to songs in her artwork and draws the colours and images and patterns that she experiences when hearing the song.
Zeph Mind
About Zeph Mind
Zeph Mitchell (he/him) is a queer multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta. He has a passion for collage and finds something therapeutic and calming about searching for and then cutting out pieces for his art with a good song or episode of something playing in the background.
Zeph is most inspired by nature, queerness and its beauty, and mortality - which you’ll be sure to find in his art in some capacity!