Poetry and art by Roshan James

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

Incredibly grateful for this thoughtful article by 100.1 The Ranch about our community mural event organized by the North Perth Public Library in Listowel on June 6. Nick, you captured everything perfectly 🙏🏾💫

Find the link via https://roshanjameslinks.com/ to read about the project 🔗🌍

This was the most aligned collaboration and I continue to reflect on the generosity of the community for showing up the way they did. Also grateful for the support of the North Perth Public Library team and the Board, with the most sincere appreciation for Terrance Ritchie whose words are truly affirming as featured in the article 💖

06/07/2026

LISTOWEL!! Yesterday was a gift 🙏🏾 Thank you to everyone who painted with us at the 'Voices of Unity' community mural painting day at the Listowel branch of ! 🎉🌈 Sharing just a few photos and videos that I managed to snag between moments.

We had over 100 people join us and the result is a joyful blend of multigenerational voices. I met so many new folks, including arts workers and organizers who have been committed to doing this work in community over the years. Wendy, Mary, and Pat, so great to meet you all! Wendy, it was awesome to hear about the art collective that meets weekly. I also heard about the history of the building from a longtime volunteer, Joanne, who empasized the importance of events like this for upholding this place as a resource for Listowel. It was amazing to have Dana Murray , one of my fave team members from , and her crew join us, as well! Watching Lauren and Laine dive into the painting was the sweetest thing 😊

Many thanks to Nick Pal from and Heather MacEwan from the Listowel Banner for the interviews about the project, and for painting with us! My hope is that this artwork will serve as a symbol of co-creation.... we can build better, safer and more inclusive spaces for each other, and connecting through art is a critical ingredient.

Thank you Ellen, Allie, Hayley, Ashlynn and team for the care you all gave to every single detail. I am simply amazed at how effortless it was to work together. The energy around this work matters and you each hold the accountability with grace. I will never forget your support.

In the words of Terrance Ritchie, Board Chair, who delivered passionate opening remarks, "Art is a reflection of who we are. It tells of our struggles, it tells of our past, it tells of our joys...art will endure forever." Coming together to make art is one way we stay connected in community and leave a legacy for the generations ahead.

06/05/2026

Tomorrow is the day!! See you at the Listowel library? 🎨 This is truly one of my favourite things... people gathering together to make and appreciate art 💫

Super excited to meet and chat with folks who come through 😊 You don't need to be creative or artsy to join in...and you may want to paint or simply come by to connect with others in the community... it's all good! Details are linked below via North Perth Public Library - drop by any time between 10am to 3pm tomorrow, Sat, June 6. There's plenty of free parking behind the library, and it's fully accessible.

Info: https://www.nppl.ca/programs-events/family-friendly/

Art is for everyone, and I appreciate trail-blazers like the North Perth Public Library team who really understand what it means to create safe spaces where people can feel comfortable to be who they are. Hayley, Allie, Ashlynn, Jenn and the whole team at North Perth Public Library have been a joy to work with on this project. I also appreciate Ms. Wallace at Listowel District Secondary School for sharing the event with her art classes to spread the word! It takes a village! 😊

Last year, we installed murals at the Monkton and Atwood branches of the library, so this feels like a peak moment to co-create the last mural with the community. I should also mention that this event is around the time as the 3rd anniversary of the 'Peaceful Gathering' mural x augmented reality gallery that was similarly co-created with the public and installed at the Downtown Kitchener Community Centre, supported by a Region of Waterloo Arts Fund Grant and incredible donors, including Alan Quarry and Heart Beats Hate 💖

Also turn the volume up and hear a snippet of a song by Gary Beals called "Good People, Good Vibes" ✨️ Gary's story is inspiring!

Swipe for a few nostalgic photos of this artwork series over the years:

1. Poster of the 'Voices of Unity' community painting day, Listowel Library
2. Original 'People of Colour' on paper w/ charcoal, oil pastels and oil sticks (2021). In a private collection
3. Paris, ON, 2022
4. 44 Gaukel Downtown Kitchener shipping container mural , 2023
5-10. 'Peaceful Gathering Mural x Augmented Reality Gallery, 2023
11. Cover of the Waterloo Region Record, 2023

05/02/2026

What does it mean to walk each other home?

My sweet love, you were the goodest girl and the dog of my dreams. We are a stronger family because of you.

Daisy James LaFrenere - Dec 29, 2019 to April 30, 2026 💛💛💛🌈🌈🌈

04/25/2026

here

12/08/2025

Chaos & Wonder at Aki Studio, Dec 5 ✨️🌳

I’m still carrying the energy of this night.... Performing 'Chaos & Wonder' at Aki Studio as part of the 2026/27 IBPOC Artists’ Network Tour kick-off with was a profound experience.... one that reminded me of how language, movement, sound, and story can open portals of connection with trees, ancestors, and each other.

- Thank you for your generosity and brilliance, and for the deep trust we've cultivated at the heart of our collaboration. Creating, moving, and imagining alongside you continues to be one of the greatest reciprocal gifts of this project. I have learned so much throughout our process from your extensive knowledge and experience, and from the grace you bring to every interaction no matter how challenging and complex.

My immense gratitude to .smith for seeing something in my Mallo nights contribution and inviting me into more opportunities 🙏🏾 Many thanks to Jenny McCowan, Bia Rohde, Zahra Badua of wind in the leaves collective for your tireless work. Thanks to Aiden at Aki Studio who took great care shaping our world through sound and lighting, and to Native Earth Performing Arts for hosting us and holding space for this performance.

Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council, funded by the Province of Ontario, along with our recommenders and , whose support has been crucial in bringing Chaos & Wonder through its pilot phase toward its full premiere.

This journey continues to remind me how vital community is in nurturing a vibrant arts ecosystem - one that makes room for experimentation, inter-regional collaboration, and stories that ask us to listen differently.

I’m deeply grateful for everyone who shared the evening with us. Thank you for witnessing, for feeling with us, and for stepping into the forest of this work 💫💗

11/28/2025

We invite you to our next 'Chaos & Wonder' performance!

and I are honoured to present Chaos & Wonder on Friday, December 5 at Aki Studio as part of The IBPOC Artists’ Network Tour presented by with participating presenters.

Tickets: https://ca.patronbase.com/_NativeEarthPerformingArts/Productions/WIND/Performances

Chaos & Wonder explores the power of language, movement, and our relationship with the natural world. Through spoken word, contemporary dance, and an original soundscape, Roshan James and Tara Butler invite audiences into a space where embodiment, environment, and story weave together to spark a perspective shift in how we see our interconnected relationship with trees and nature.

Poetry for the spoken word was adapted from 'Pink Moon' and the long poem 'A Song for Trees' (editor: , publisher: )

Date: Friday, December 5, 2025

Location: Aki Studio - Native Earth Performing Arts, 250-585 Dundas St E, Tkaronto, ON M5A 2B7

Tickets: Link in bios -

Chaos & Wonder was developed with the generous support of the Ontario ArtsCouncil, the provincial government, and recommenders and through OAC Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators. Public funding continues to be vital for nurturing a vibrant arts ecosystem and supporting interdisciplinary and inter-regional artistic exchange.

We’re deeply grateful for opportunities to share this work in its pilot phase as we continue to develop the production for the official premier.

11/21/2025

All set for the Show & Sale tonight/tomorrow! If you drop by my spot, I brought some cute and nostalgic objects from my home studio that are free gifts for visitors to take, with the option of making a donation to the Food Bank (QR code shown in the pics and link in my bio ). See you sooooooooon 🤗

globestudios

09/18/2025

Thanks to Rebekah Ludolph for the invitation to speak to her class on Monday evening at !

We spent time discussing meaning-making and process-based creative practices. It was interesting to hear how students responded to the breathwork and 'tapping in' exercises that we did together to find stillness. I felt empowered to speak to them about cultivating and protecting their own creative voice and focusing on the processes that feel most aligned for them. Being at the university brought back many memories, and it felt great to be on a campus again in the fall.... such a nostalgic vibe 🍂

We also reflected on the work by , and in our co-presented exhibition 'Where do we still plant flowers?', curated by . This exhibition focuses on the experiences of people who have gone through transitional housing. A couple of groups participated in community sessions at YWKW led by , discussing what place and belonging mean to them.

The exhibition is on now to Nov 2025 at Kanata Centre . Reception will be on Nov 12, 5-6:30pm. Would love to see you there!


# roshanjames