Workshop focuses on artistic expressions in research dissemination

CTV News

19-07-2025

Oghenevwede Oturuhoyi, a summer intern with the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest project, is seen at a workshop on July 19, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Galen McDougall)
African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) artists gathered at the University of Alberta Saturday morning for a professional development seminar hosted by the Ribbon Rouge Foundation and the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) research project.
Several speakers presented at the workshop, sharing their works and how the research influenced what they do.
Oghenevwede Oturuhoyi, a summer intern with BEAR, said the workshop is important to the research project which looks at the root causes of ACB related health inequity.
'We're talking about knowledge translation – how do we translate our knowledge or data to reach the grassroots, to get to ACB communities, people who cannot access written information?' Oturuhoyi told CTV News Edmonton. 'We're really interested in how this knowledge can be transmitted and assessed.'
Oturuhoyi said the workshop will give BEAR the opportunity to learn how to break down knowledge and disseminate the information through various artistic mediums.
The first segment of the workshop involved presentations about BEAR's objectives and how they fit into those of Ribbon Rouge.
The Ribbon Rouge Foundation is a grassroots organization focused on health equity and facilitates social justice through the arts.
The second phase of the workshop took a more interactive approach with informal discussions about the subject matter.
'Today is all about learning, equipping and developing ourselves,' said Oturuhoyi.
BEAR and the Ribbon Rouge Foundation are planning to hold a symposium in August, where they are looking to commission artists to translate some of the BEAR's findings into artistic expressions.