Author: Kevin Bourne

Art and creativity have many uses. They can be used to shed light on issues, influence public perception, or challenge us to think. This week it was used to heal and bring a country together. If you’ve followed the terrorist attacks in Paris this week you may have seen ‘Peace for Paris’, an image by French graphic designer Jean Jullien. When Jullien heard of the attacks his first reaction was to create. In an interview with NPR he stated: “Last night I was about to go for dinner. I turned on the French radio. I heard that it was an…

What do Akon, Alicia Keys and Angelina Jolie have in common? Well, you’re right, they’re all magnificent at what they do. But they also find ways to use their creative influence to solve social issues. This year R&B singer, Akon, launched his Lighting Africa project which will bring electricity to 600 million people in Africa. He also started the Solektra Solar Academy which is helping train African engineers. This inspirational artist and philanthropist is using his influence to change and revive Africa. Grammy Award-winning songtress, Alicia Keys, is a HIV advocate. She is the co-founder of Keep a Child Alive…

It’s celebrated by young people in cities across North America and even in the United Kingdom, from Toronto to Los Angeles to London. This past Tuesday WE Day stopped in Ottawa, Canada. Over 16,000 students from over 500 schools punched their ticket to the event by taking part in both a local and global action. Students gathered at the Canadian Tire Centre to be encouraged to dream big, use their imagination and go from, “Me thinking to We acting”. Guests included YouTube sensation Lilly Singh, who received the biggest ovation, United States Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, recording artists Kardinal…

If you ask the average adult whether they’re concerned about the next generation they’ll probably say yes. As soon as you cross that threshold into your 30’s you instinctively start shaking your head when you see young people doing anything questionable. You also start asking, “Were we like that when we were teenagers?” To which the answer is, “Yes.” But not all teenagers fit the stereotype. There are teens all over the world “creating their world” and doing amazing things. Time Magazine’s Most Influential Teens list provides optimism that the world will be in good hands in the next ten…

Our Joe Mebrahtu and Kevin Bourne sat down with former rock musician turned church leader, Shawn Gabie, to talk about influencing culture, building a personal brand and leadership. Joe Mebrahtu: Your background is music; you’ve been a drummer for a few rock bands and you’re used to being in the background. As a church leader you’re a professional communicator how was it transitioning from being in the background to being a public figure? Has the transition been easy? Difficult? What was the process? Shawn Gabie: Because of my type of communication, the transition from being in the background to being…

Tonight members of the SHIFTER Magazine team attended A Voice for the Voiceless; an exhibition by Canadian artist Delphine Saint-Fort. The collection was a celebration of a few firsts for the artist- her first exhibition, as well as her first time experimenting with photography. Her creativity and use of different textures was in full display as she blended different mediums, including photography, paint and applying materials like newspaper and cardboard boxes. Saint-Fort explains the concept stating: How often do we miss things that are right in front of us? This concept of being “Overlooked” is what inspired me for my…

Can art be fashion? Can fashion be art? The answer is yes. As artisans gathered for an event like no other and first of its kind in Ottawa. The evening consisted of thought-provoking and visual spectacles of fashion presented by local designers. Music provided by Blast the Radio enhanced the night market as well as a delectable selection of appetizers provided by Savour Italy. Attendees were treated to a showcase hosted by the lovely Miss Barbara Laurenstin. The show featured nine different designers, all presenting their own eclectic brands of clothing and accessories. As models strutted their stuff on the…

Our editor, Kevin Bourne, had the opportunity to catch up with Toronto fashion designer, Dean Ellis, to talk about his style icons and favourite designers, trends for fall and advice for people wanting to get into the fashion business. Kevin Bourne: How did you get your start in fashion? Dean Ellis: The start of Ellis Esq., was birthed out of need as I had just been laid off after eight years with Royal Bank. I simply didn’t want to waste any more time building someone else dreams. I had been giving it thought for some time and after years of…

Name: Matt Dyck Home Base: Whitby, ON Past and present creative icons: Most of the artists that I look up to are the ones that have built themselves up to the point where they can illustrate/design/paint what they are personally interested in. Not confined to taking jobs simply because it means getting paid. Jeff Norwell is a great example of that. He loves hot-rods and the culture that goes along with it, and primarily works with companies and individuals that are in need of that type of work. It’s probably safer for me to say that I’m more influenced by…

Columnist John Lincoln recently wrote a rather thorough article for Marketing Land about how to become an influencer in your industry. “Influencers are the people others come to for advice. They have a genuine, loyal following because they add real value to their industries. Influencers have insight and actionable information, and because of that they attract the eye of even major brands. In short: Influencers have power. It’s possible that someday soon you will have an amazing service, product or idea that will change your industry forever — or maybe you already do. Perhaps you already have a startup for…

A series of short films stood out among the numerous masterpieces presented during the Ottawa International Animation Festival (or OIAF). A tremendous amount of directors and film students proved that they understood the potential of animated films and succeeded at giving us some of the most amazing work our team has seen this year. It would be impossible for us to cover every single one of the short films that deserve a mention but we believe it is our duty to give credit where it is due regardless. In order to honor the short film competitions, we put together a…

Directed by Scott Cooper, written by Jez Butterworth, starring Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton “Black Mass follows the adult life of notorious South Boston gangster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, his incredible rise to power in the criminal underworld of Boston and his eventual fall from grace.” Black Mass sees a return to form for the Academy Award winning actor, Johnny Depp. After years of mediocre to absolutely abysmal performances, Depp shines as the ruthless and notorious gangster, physically transforming and embodying the character. Supported by an outstanding cast and a chilling soundtrack, Depp carries the lacklustre story of Black Mass and…