Story Sharing Program at Bruce House
The Story Sharing program is a unique storytelling series for the PHA community
(Ottawa) Created by Qu’ART - Ottawa Queer Arts Collective in 2025, the Story Sharing program provides a welcoming space for community members by giving them space to craft, hone, and share their stories (factual or creative), to connect through shared life experiences, and build meaningful relationships. All levels of storytelling experience are welcome! This first iteration of the program is English only
Program Details:
Cost: Participation is FREE
Frequency: Twice a month
Duration: Thursdays in October to December (2025), 2026 February to April and April to June, day to be confirmed
Location: Bruce House
Perks: Transportation and meals provided
Hosted by Bruce House in partnership with Qu'ART - Ottawa Queer Arts Collective
Contact Velvet Wells, program facilitator through QUART dot STORIES at GMAIL dot COM
Why Bruce House Believes in this program
The intended outcomes of this initiative are to provide meaningful involvement opportunities for Bruce House clients to reduce feelings of isolation
At the heart of this program is our goal to encourage self-reflection and opportunities for creativity, as a means to build wellness, decrease social isolation and to build greater bonds within Bruce House client communities
This story sharing program gives clients space to connect with others across shared life experiences. They can deepen existing relationships and connect with new acquaintances. They can build their curiosity and creative practice, discover more about each other through the shared interest of story sharing. Another benefit of this program is the intrinsic potential to help each others' esteem and self-acceptance through the simple act of sharing oneself
How Qu’ART is Connected to this program
Our intention is to foster increased opportunities for queer and trans artists, activists, allies, and cultural influencers to cross-pollinate socially and creatively through supporting residencies, workshops, performances, panel discussions, and community projects that will connect people across generations and artistic disciplines. We have a longstanding relationship with Bruce House and other community-centered organizations
Facilitator Velvet Wells
Velvet Wells (they/them) joined Qu’ART in 2023 to co-facilitate Qu’ART’s Get Your Story Out virtual storytelling program. Velvet is a musical comedian, social justice theatre creator, arts administrator, facilitator, and consultant. They are a member of Black Pledge Canada, facilitating workshops and programs the disrupt anti-Black racism in Canadian performance spaces
