Here’s a little bit about her:
Katharine Carol has over sixteen years experience as a producer and artistic director of festivals, theatre productions and corporate events. Most recently she was the Cultural Olympiad Program Manager for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Katharine’s previous projects include Winterruption, Island Vogue and Canada Day celebrations on Granville Island and she has enjoyed a lengthy affiliation with Public Dreams Society as artistic director for the signature events, Illuminares, Circus of Dreams and Parade of the Lost Souls. Katharine was associate artistic director for The Fireweavers, who performed at the Athens 2004 Olympic Summer Games.
Katharine holds a BFA from the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University and an MA from the Central School of Speech and Drama in the Untied Kingdom.
And here’s how she answered my 6 questions about creativity:
What does it mean to you to be creative?
Creativity is a way of seeing the world that facilitates beauty, change, adventure, art and discovery. It is what feeds me, excites me, provides me with energy and brings a smile to my face. To create is a process of exploration which is simultaneously exciting and terrifying but always rewarding. It is more about the way l view the world rather than about a finished product and it allows me to engage in a way that encourages a belief in endless possibilities.
What inspires your creativity?
Images, songs, outstanding artistry and walking in nature inspire me allowing me time to reflect, ponder and engage my imagination to access my creative resources, whether that is to create an artistic project or to engage my creative thinking in a more practical endeavour.
What keeps you moving forward in making things happen?
My belief that art is vital to our well being and imperative in creating a better world. Art and creativity feed us, providing an avenue to laugh, connect and rejoice. Art is a language that exposes the beauty, pain, struggle, and delight that is part of the human condition, it gives us a method of communication that transcends the verbal therefore creating an opportunity to experience the world differently.
What’s the wildest journey your venturesome spirit has taken you on?
Coming to Canada from England when l was 18. I decided to leave the UK so found myself a job in Calgary. It was only when l was half way across the Atlantic that l realized l had no idea where l was going or what l was going to and a long moment of terror surfaced followed by unbelievable culture shock – the differences between 1980 London and Calgary are too numerous to list! It was one of the scariest yet best decisions of my life!
What’s the boldest, most provocative statement you are willing to make about yourself, your business or the industry that you are in?
Artists speak for the masses, making statements and publicly challenging the status quo. Artists can not, and should not, be silenced for they are the mirrors of society reflecting our success and failures, our celebrations and losses and our humanity – I am immensely proud to be part of this community.
What’s next for you?
My next endeavour is as the Artistic and Executive Director of the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. The Festival is an integral component of Vancouver’s artistic landscape so the opportunity to lead the outstanding team in the creation of future festivals is privilege.”
And here are two things that inspire Katharine’s creativity:
…and a quote by Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
I adore your energizing spirit and smile Katharine, thank you for being such a force!
