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With her shop and gallery 'Likely General', Poet and Musician Brooke Manning, celebrates and connects a community of hundreds of artists. Brooke also supports her community as a Death Midwife, guiding people navigating death and grief through her workshops, events and meditations.
My name is Brooke Manning and I wear a few hats :). I am deeply called to a life of service, connection, wonder, pleasure, and community. I own and operate a shop and gallery in Toronto called Likely General that supports the work of over 300 queer and marginalized artists since 2013. The connections I have made there within the last decade are invaluable to me. I believe so deeply in the community we have built together and I will forever remain in awe of the magic that exists within that shop and gallery space. Beyond Likely, I have been a death midwife since 2017, guiding those with life-limiting illness and helping the actively living transmute fear and worry surrounding death often created by our capitalist systems. I facilitate workshops, meditations, and events surrounding death and grief, and I am beginning the process of studying clinical hypnotherapy in order to further deepen my scope of care. I am also a published poet and a musician working under the name Loom since 2009. My music and writing is directly connected to how I move through the world daily in my practice and in my work.
In my teens and very early twenties I was a very shy person who didn't believe in myself. I was deeply consumed with my personal trauma wrapped in ptsd. I am so proud of the way I have managed to 'become'. I am proud of the trust I have in myself, the way I have opened and grown, forgiven and thrived. I am so proud of all I have accomplished through Likely. At 38 and after a decade of running Likely General, I look to it as a beacon of hope, a place of encouragement that has been invaluable to my own personal growth. I live in gratitude to be told daily of the positive effect it has on the lives of our community. I am in awe of my staff, the artists we support, our community of customers and friends. I will forever be so grateful for their trust, encouragement, and faith in me. I'm really proud of myself for finding that small seed of self-belief buried deep that sang loudly, "I know I can do it".
Live Slow. (A year before my Papa died, for months he would sit and watch the boats come in and out of the small harbour where I grew up. He began to see a boat a few times a week called Live Slow. Every time he did, he took it as a sign to call me and remind me to acknowledge the pace of life. It's changed everything for me.)
...I go to nature. Nature is my first friend, my only sibling, my truest known home. It gives us everything we have ever hoped for without asking for anything in return but respect. It holds every answer and inspiration.
...infinite.
...injustice.
Starting Likely entirely on my own, with no financial support, partner, business degree, contractor, designer, advisor or mentor. I researched everything, saved, got loans, renovated myself, and learned everything from a very enthusiastic, terrified, motivated, and naive place. I heard the little voice of self-belief and for the first time in my life, I decided to listen to it.
My home. It is the safest space I have ever known. It is filled with so much love, passion, care, quiet, and solace. I may rent forever but I am grateful to be in a space longterm that is built upon safety and love.
...everywhere. I am wired to acknowledge the joy of others, to celebrate it, and to then let it seep into the care and joy I have for my own ability to be alive, here, now.
...future possibilities.
Justine McGrath is a mixed-Métis glass artist and friend based in Toronto. She inspires me endlessly. She sees the world with eyes of wonder. Her glass talisman pieces and creations provide strength not only to those who find a home in them, but they also allow her to transmute her past trauma through the art of making something incredibly beautiful with materials that could be deemed as dangerous or triggering. She is one of the most caring and beautiful people I have ever known.
Justine McGrath is a mixed-Métis glass artist and friend based in Toronto. She inspires me endlessly. She sees the world with eyes of wonder. Her glass talisman pieces and creations provide strength not only to those who find a home in them, but they also allow her to transmute her past trauma through the art of making something incredibly beautiful with materials that could be deemed as dangerous or triggering. She is one of the most caring and beautiful people I have ever known.
Viktor Cahoj is a queer cinematographer and photographer based in Toronto. He is truly a remarkable person. Perhaps the most humble person I know. I am endlessly inspired by his care for others, his courage, his gentleness, and the way he sees the world (as if through a kaleidoscope). He is the type of person to notice the smallest glimmer of light in a puddle and be completely transfixed by its connection to something sacred. He possesses the rare ability to articulate this sacredness in a language that many can understand.
Viktor Cahoj is a queer cinematographer and photographer based in Toronto. He is truly a remarkable person. Perhaps the most humble person I know. I am endlessly inspired by his care for others, his courage, his gentleness, and the way he sees the world (as if through a kaleidoscope). He is the type of person to notice the smallest glimmer of light in a puddle and be completely transfixed by its connection to something sacred. He possesses the rare ability to articulate this sacredness in a language that many can understand.
Craig Fahner is a queer artist, musician, educator, and researcher based in Toronto, originally from Calgary. As an artist his work reimagines the way we use and interact with technology creating accessible, inclusive, and new landscapes. As an educator he uplifts and encourages his students through empathy, excitement, and deep dedication. As a musician he is extremely prolific and entirely humble in regards to his impressive output. He cares deeply about community connection and activism, kindness, helping others, and listening well.
Craig Fahner is a queer artist, musician, educator, and researcher based in Toronto, originally from Calgary. As an artist his work reimagines the way we use and interact with technology creating accessible, inclusive, and new landscapes. As an educator he uplifts and encourages his students through empathy, excitement, and deep dedication. As a musician he is extremely prolific and entirely humble in regards to his impressive output. He cares deeply about community connection and activism, kindness, helping others, and listening well.
Michelle Lemay is a writer who without trying, writes the kind of texts to friends that feel as though they were handwritten in a room of precious objects, sealed in a wax-stamped-envelope and sent across the world via messenger pigeon or better, horse. Her observations of the world outside her head are profoundly mesmerizing. She also cares so deeply about others in a way that is so honest and kind. I would call her a poet though I am not sure she would call herself that. She just made it to the semifinals of a screenwriting pitch competition and mark my words, she will be everywhere.
Michelle Lemay is a writer who without trying, writes the kind of texts to friends that feel as though they were handwritten in a room of precious objects, sealed in a wax-stamped-envelope and sent across the world via messenger pigeon or better, horse. Her observations of the world outside her head are profoundly mesmerizing. She also cares so deeply about others in a way that is so honest and kind. I would call her a poet though I am not sure she would call herself that. She just made it to the semifinals of a screenwriting pitch competition and mark my words, she will be everywhere.