In 2010, SKETCH welcomed Rose Gutierrez in a new role, Program Director. Over the last 11 years, Rose has played a significant role in the design of our strategy and program development. She brought many years of experience and most of all a love for community building and partnerships. In December, Rose stepped down from her role at SKETCH and we will be forever grateful for her contributions and bringing us to where we are now!
On January 4, 2022, Julian Diego became the Creative Director for SKETCH. Julian sat down with Rose to have a conversation and share some of their insights and learnings.
Julian: When did you start at SKETCH and what were those early years like?
Rose: I came to SKETCH in 2010 after I left as Director of Programming at a Community Health Center. I always admired SKETCH from afar as a community partner.
When I came into SKETCH I saw a space that was vibrant and creative. I could see there was important work engaging communities of young people. At the time I didn’t feel I was embedded in community or social programs as much as my experience from the health sector but was drawn into the beauty of the collaborative and experiential approach to building community. I wanted it!
Julian: What has the work meant to you? Did you ever think that SKETCH would be what it is today?
Rose: This work has combined my political work, integrated my creative, artistic and activist worlds. SKETCH has professionally challenged me to partner, lead and create in a very different way.
I found that there was nothing conventional with the way things worked at SKETCH. We just wouldn’t accept the way things had been done and I really appreciated being able to approach leadership and design in a new way.
Julian: Can you name your greatest contributions during your time at SKETCH? What has your biggest learning moment at SKETCH been?
Rose: My greatest contribution is my experience and history in the arts and as an activist in the 80’s and 90’s. It was foundational to my own political framing of the world. I belonged to radical queer and racial communities making art in community around what we were living, learning and celebrating through our artistic projects.
I remember many conversations around anti-oppression and equity at SKETCH. There was a lot of work in the area of the complexities of censorship, creative expressions and freedom.
While equity was inherent in our practice, we needed to write it all down. Folks at SKETCH have a strong understanding on how to operationalize the principles of inclusion and equity with exceptional care. My experience at SKETCH has taught me the importance of the written words with a strong foundation of care.
Julian: What do you think has been the greatest impact of SKETCH among young people? In various communities? In the sector? Specifically in the city of Toronto? (arts, community, social change)
Rose: SKETCH continues to push boundaries and refuses to accept limitations of systems and people. As an organization we see endless possibilities.
Our analytical framework considers social locations of race, gender poverty when engaging with young people. SKETCH leads and has informed practices in social service and community arts organizations through strong partnerships.
Julian: What’s next for you, Rose?
Rose: I hope to always be involved at SKETCH. Maybe I can be a volunteer in the studios!! I hope to make more art and be more involved in grassroots community movements.
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