During this time of social distancing and dark theatres, Vancouver Presents continues to check in with our arts community members to find out how they are staying creative and managing during the pandemic.
Today we check in with artist, writer, storyteller and researcher Rosemary Georgeson.
1. How are you staying creative during the pandemic?
I have been very fortunate during covid times. I am still keeping busy with work, and that keeps my creativity busy. I find I am reading more and doing more things with my hands, crafts, etc. when I do have downtime.
2. What’s the one thing getting you through?
Keeping busy by planning future projects. I have a few things on the go and for the future, so planning stages are keeping me busy. I like working from home now, so I don’t think about it a lot.
3. How are you staying in contact with family and friends who are not in your bubble?
Phone calls, messenger, zoom are keeping me in contact with friends and family not in my bubble. I find I have more conversations with them now. Before pandemic times, we all seemed to text, but now I find we have more conversations.
4. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far during the pandemic?
Take care of yourself. Tell the people you care about that you care. Do not take things for granted
5. What do you feel the most grateful for right now?
I have a home, a roof over my head. There is not a lot I need or want. I am still in touch with my family and friends, so it is all good.
6. What is something you are doing now that you don’t normally?
I am cooking at home more now. I love cooking, but there was never time before, but now I cook at home every day.
7. What skill have you developed since the pandemic started?
Patience, I have developed a lot of patience. LOL.
8. What have you missed the most?
I miss going home to Galiano, and I miss going to see my mom on Vancouver Island.
9. Your #1 pandemic survival tip.
This will end one day; then, we can find our new normal.
10. Your biggest indulgence since the pandemic started.
I don’t know what that would be. I painted my living room, so maybe taking time for all the things I didn’t have time to do pre-pandemic.
11. What have you stockpiled?
I didn’t stockpile anything.
12. What have you been reading?
I have been reading a lot of the research and info I have been working on for the last eight years. There is a lot of info that we have found, and I have not had time to read it all thoroughly.
13. What have you been watching?
I watched a whole series a couple of months ago. I watched all seasons of Boardwalk Empire. I haven’t done that in years.
14. What have you been listening to?
I have been listening to a lot of concerts and different music on YouTube and building my playlists on Spotify.
15. What are you doing for exercise?
I go for a walk around the block and do a lot of stretches now.
16. The one thing you haven’t been able to live without?
Travelling, I miss travelling the most. I have family I want to go and see.
17. Do-it-yourself haircut or the natural look?
Natural look.
18. Night owl or early riser?
Early riser.
19. Will you be the first out as restrictions are gradually lifted or taking a wait-and-see attitude?
Wait & see attitude.
20. What’s the first thing you will do when this is all over?
Go to Vancouver Island and see my mom.
Meet Rosemary Georgeson
Rosemary was born and raised in the commercial fishing industry, spending the first half of her life fishing around Galiano Island and the Salish Sea, sometimes as far as Prince Rupert. Since leaving the industry, she has worked in the arts community as a writer, storyteller and researcher. Recognized in 2009 by the Vancouver Mayor’s award for emerging artists and in 2014 as the Vancouver Public Library’s Storyteller in Residence, her work is deeply rooted in her family history on Galiano Island.