~ IMPORTANT UPDATE ~

Connection Salon celebrates Mad Pride Festival this summer! 

The month-long program platforms artists with lived experiences of mental health issues, providing a safe and stigma-free experience for all. 

All events are located at the Gathering Place Community Centre except the July 21 screening.

MAD PRIDE FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Mad Arts Coffee House
Thursday, June 25, 4–7pm
A curated showcase of Indigenous artists.
David Diamond Theatre for the Living
Thursday, July 2, 10am–5pm
A free theatre workshop on the theme of “belonging”.
Stand Up for Mental Health
Tuesday, July 7, 5:30–7pm
An evening of stand-up with five local comics.
Gifts of Madness
Friday, July 3–Sunday, August 16, 2026
The exhibition centres on the theme of resilience and will feature 12 local artists.
Meet the Artist on July 9 from 5:30–7pm with spoken word poet Nate Nate Nainers.
Art Talks in Plain English
Thursday, July 16, 5:30–7pm
Community artist Sandra Yuen talks about her artistic practice.
Desiring Bodies: Double-Bill Film Screening
with Cinevolution Media Arts Society
Sunday, July 26, 12:30–3:30pm at The Cinematheque
(Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada)
>> REGISTER FOR SCREENING HERE <<
"Am I the skinniest person you’ve ever seen?" by Eisha Majara
(runtime: 24 minutes).
"Sisters" by Ying Wang
(runtime: 86 minutes).
A discussion with the filmmakers will follow.
Mad Pride Parade and Cabaret
Saturday, July 25, 1–5pm
Parade with  The Carnival Band down Seymour Street
Cabaret at The Gathering Place
Featuring:
Sinéad X Sanders, Magpie Ulysses, Daniela Elza, Jude Neale, and Reid Jamieson & CVM.

................................. 

Connection Salon started at the Lost+Found Cafe at 33 West Hastings, Vancouver in the fall of 2018. In 2021 the Cafe has closed so we have been looking for a new location. At the beginning of 2023 we held our first show at The Gathering Place Community Center at 609 Helmcken Street and our activities continue there. This space is aimed at being a low barrier exhibition space committed to exhibiting underrepresented artists and artists with lived experience with mental health .

CURRENT SHOW:

The Art of Overcoming
May 8 - June 21
Meet the artists: May 14, 5:30 - 7pm
~ view poster ~

NEXT SHOW:

Gifts of Madness
(Theme: "Resilience")
Friday, July 3–Sunday, August 16, 2026  
Meet the artists: July 9, 5:30 - 7pm

NEXT EVENTS:

Mad Arts Coffee House
(Indigenous themed)
Thursday, June 25, 4–7pm  

David Diamond Theatre for the Living
(Theme: “Belonging”)
Free Theatre Workshop: Thursday, July 2, 10am–5pm  

Stand Up for Mental Health
Tuesday, July 7, 5:30–7pm

Art Talks in Plain English
Thursday, July 16, 5:30–7pm

Desiring Bodies: Double-Bill Film Screening with Cinevolution Media Arts Society
>> REGISTER FOR SCREENING HERE <<
Sunday, July 26, 12:30–3:30pm at The Cinematheque

Mad Pride Parade and Cabaret
Saturday, July 25, 1–5pm