The Lighter Touch Art Collective
A queer and neurodiverse led art collective rooted in collective creation, community building, and mutual aid through art
The Team
Sarah Ivanco is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on theatre, dance, and visual arts. They are also a producer, creator, and performer with award-winning dance theatre collective Trip the Light Theatre Collective. Sarah emphasizes that she is a community-taught artist and works almost exclusively on devised art projects.Erik Karklins is an interdisciplinary artist who works within dance, theatre, and multimedia arts. For them The Lighter Touch is the perfect intersection of his love of art and community.This collective started when Erik and Sarah opened their creative processes to one another and collaboratively choreographed a two-part burlesque performance. After an incredible reception, the duo sought to collaborate further and formed a mandate reflecting their values as queer and community focused artists.The Lighter Touch Art Collective’s mandate is to empower people through collective creation, community building, and mutual aid.As two openly queer and neurodivergent artists, Sarah and Erik take pride in creating pieces that not only reflect who they are as creators but reflect the communities they live alongside.
The Lighter Touch Workshop
The Lighter Touch workshop is a space for artists across all disciplines to come together and workshop their current projects. This workshop will start with a short presentation about how to effectively give and receive strength-based feedback. This will be followed by a period of free creation and networking. Participants will then share their works in progress in small groups to give and receive feedback using a strength-based approach. The goal of this workshop is to create a sense of community and to encourage artists to share their works in progress in a supportive environment.Workshop Dates:
Saturday December 21st
Sunday January 26th
Sunday February 23rd
Zine R.A.C.K.
Zine R.A.C.K. is a community magazine that looks at sex, relationships, and intimacy from the lens of marginalized individuals. The first issue explores queer bodies and identities. You can find a free PDF download below as well as a link to donate for future issues!
Christian Slut
Discover the truth behind the rumours whispered in church, from steamy make outs at Christian summer camp to taboo relationships at Bible College during my missionary studies – but not the fun kind. Every sexy sinful secret will be revealed as Erik takes you on an erotic journey filled with guilt and pleasure.Ottawa Fringe : June 13-23rd
Kingston Fringe : August 1st-11th
When Fern Flowers Bloom
When Fern Flowers Bloom is a play with a modernist take on the old pagan gods of Latvian folklore. The sweet and gentle romance between the Goddess of Death and the incarnation of Summer will change the way you view relationships. Watch this love story bloom over the course of one last intimate date night.Victoria Fringe : August 21st - September 1st
Vancouver Fringe : September 5 - 15th