Response by Jess DeVitt
Artist Statement
It has been an absolute joy to illustrate Chanile Vines’ story for this project, as it is a story that illuminates how food and sharing a meal is at the heart of community. Growing up in a family restaurant in my home city of Puebla, Mexico has made me cherish and appreciate the importance of food with my family and friends. For many years I have been interested in understanding and promoting food access programs in my community as a necessary component of art creation. Collaborating with Chanile has been truly joyful, as well as learning about the many different dishes traditional to Jamaica. This has been a way of depicting how sharing food, abundance and culture create lasting memories and experiences.
Jess De Vitt (she/they) is a visual artist, educator and muralist based in T’karonto (Treaty 13). Jess has experience working with community through the arts offering instructional workshops for a range of mediums and art making techniques both digitally and in person. Jess is focused on incorporating collaboration through access to art and community.
IG: @jessmdevitt
Website: jessdevitt.com