Creative change

It was a full circle moment when I got to sit down with Jane Ledwell for this profile. Many readers will know that Jane was the profile writer for The Buzz for more than 20 years before I took the role at the end of 2020. It was an honour to catch up with her and hear about some of the things she’s been up to and some of the big changes that are on the horizon. 

“When I had small children and it was hard to find time for my creative practices, I could always count on those few hours each month where I met with artists and wrote about them,” she recalled.

 Interviewing over 200 people during her time with The Buzz, Jane and I agreed that it’s a highlight of the month to connect and contribute in this way. Jane interviewed me five years ago which was one of the first times I had the opportunity to meet with her. Before that, I remember seeing her perform at a poetry event where she affectionately said, “Us published poets make dozens of dollars a year!” I’ve since published poetry books and can corroborate that statement!

Jane’s poetic prowess is only one of her many creative gifts. Growing up in a creative family, Jane now has a creative family of her own. “Everyone in our house is an artist and we all have our piles all over the place,” she said.

 Sometimes collaborating with her children, Jane has written with them, and they have encouraged her participation in creative community events such as the River Clyde Pageant. She plays clarinet in the annual summer production and is also a member of Definitely Not the Symphony. Appreciating the parameters and containers that such programs offer, Jane enjoys “working by project.” 

“Writing is my discipline which I define as the practice of honing a craft. The other creative things I do are more of a playful practice.”

Along with Jane’s creative endeavors, she has also worked with the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women for the last 21 years, 13 of which were as the Executive Director. In November, she will be switching gears from that organization into her new role as the Executive Director of Creative PEI. 

“Arts and culture need continued advocacy and attention and I’m looking forward to the new experiences and challenges that will come with my time at Creative PEI,” she said.

In this new role, Jane is committed to modeling the importance of maintaining creative arts practices along with the arts administration that is required in the job. “I want to be able to demonstrate a dedication to work and creative practice, opening the space for others to do the same.”

When I asked her about what kinds of creative projects she is excited about, Jane let me know that she is keen to write a murder mystery, so we can look forward to seeing a new side of her writing in the future. 

The experiences and challenges within the arts and culture sector are infinite, and Jane and I discussed some of them during our time together. “Most creatives have to work in jobs outside arts and culture to sustain their living.” 

We imagined together a world where artists could be more available to create without these additional barriers. 

Jane has decades of experience with, and appreciation for, working with boards, bringing a variety of people together to work toward common goals. “I love organizing, creating, and having meetings where relationship-building is at the forefront.” 

There was a sense of relief in her voice as she talked about some of the challenges that we collectively faced during the pandemic. “We were really missing the side conversations and opportunities to meet and connect along the edges when all our meetings and gatherings were virtual.”

Our conversation took many beautiful turns from the mundane to the magnificent, including some deep questions like, “What creates a collective? What creates a community?” Jane seamlessly weaves social justice efforts and creative practice, noting that both aspects help shape our culture. Her stories and sharing of connectedness are inspiring as she notes that all aspects of creation start with culture: aquaculture, agriculture, horticulture. 

Jane’s commitment to and passion for the arts underscored nearly all aspects of our conversation. “Our collective traumas and grief are processed and shared in art; we turn to art in all its forms for both the celebrations and the catastrophes.” 

“Creativity transforms us, individually and collectively.”