Pointz of View

Nurturing the creativity and artistic expression of young people can unlock healing and future opportunities.

iHuman has been serving at-risk youth in Edmonton’s core since 1997. The organization provides wraparound services from hot meals to a career hub to onsite health-care services — but what has always set iHuman apart is their arts programming, with studios that include space for visual arts, fashion design, theatre performance and a fully-equipped music studio. The arts spaces at iHuman encourage at-risk youth to explore their creativity, work through their trauma and pain, and develop as artists — fostering their talent as well as their healing.

Music has long been a part of iHuman’s programming, but this is the first time they’ve released a complete album. Thanks to a partnership with the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC), the album, Pointz of View, has received grant funding for development, production and release — as well as mentorship for the young musicians.

“The whole collaboration is just working out so beautifully and it’s amazing to have the support of an organization that understands what art can do and how art can heal and, by doing this, they’ve allowed us to produce this album,” says Beryl Bacchus, iHuman’s executive director. “It’s a full partnership.”

EAC has also supported iHuman to bring musicians and instructors into the studio to help the youth with vocal coaching and guitar lessons.

“They’re really helping support us to get the right people in place to mentor these youth,” says Bacchus. “They’re supporting the next generation of artists in Edmonton.”

Samjay Mensah, iHuman’s sound studio coordinator, works with the youth to craft their music and make the final products radio- (or playlist-) ready.

“His talent for pulling these stories out of the youth and then working with them and collaborating with them to create the background music and how they want it to sound … he’s done a phenomenal job of putting it all together,” says Bacchus.

The album brings together a variety of genres, from folk to rap to pop, but the music is united by the raw, personal lyrics and the young artists’ talent.

“Being able to work with so many different people, even though all of our voices and styles are so different, the way it came together was really beautiful,” one of the youth artists, Russecetta says.

“There’s so much great talent coming out of our music studio. The whole process is a journey starting from them putting their life experience down into words and turning that into music,” says Bacchus. “It shows the evolution that can happen as you grow and learn how to process any trauma that you’ve been through.”

Sean Arceta, registered social worker and iHuman’s community relations director loves watching the youth collaborate with Mensah in the studio — his mentorship pushes the youth to greater heights.

“I think the cool thing is just seeing the respect between the artist and the producer,” Arceta says. “There’s definitely that healthy constructive feedback that happens with the artists.”

The project’s goal isn’t only to help youth tell their stories — it also builds their personal and professional skills, Arceta says. They book time in the studio, show up for their slot and put in the work with Mensah, who gives constructive feedback and helps them hone their skills.

“Recording at iHuman has helped me grow, not just musically or artistically, but in confidence and self-expression,” one youth in the program, Emily, says. “At the end of the day, I think most people just want to be seen and heard and this is a space where that actually happens.”

Even before he began working with iHuman, Arceta saw former iHuman youth take their art to a professional level, touring with established artists and making a career out of their artistic expression.

iHuman’s programs aren’t simple art therapy — it’s a totally integrated program that develops skills for careers in the arts.

“If they want to try and be artistic and creative, this is a place to do it and we have the resources — but it also takes a level of commitment from the young person,” Arceta says. And the youth who have contributed to the album are definitely committed.

Through telling their stories in lyric form, the youth “cultivate strength, confidence, motivation and a sense of purpose,” Arceta says. For him, seeing the youth cheer each other on is a huge part of that confidence and sense of pride.

“The smiles and their friends clapping along and saying ‘that came out so dope, so sick,’ those are the golden moments in the creative process for many artists,” Arceta adds.

Regardless of the circumstances that bring youth through iHuman’s doors, the organization’s programming supports youth-led creative expression and healing through art.

Pointz of View, slated for release in early September, will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.