This segment concludes our four-part series on creativity. Much thanks to those who provided ample inspiration by demonstrating creativity in both big and small ways, and best wishes to those who are on the path of more creative pursuits. The recipe is available to us all—just remind yourself to do one of the following each and every day:

• Do what you love
• Be curious
• Practice change and challenge yourself
• Take risks
• Revel in the new, the unfamiliar, and the undefined
• Give yourself permission to improve
• Grab life by the horns, and good luck!

Houston, along with many other communities in North Central British Columbia, harbours a plethora of creative personalities. If the natural resource sector provides an economic foundation upon which our communities can grow and thrive, the people who engage in creative living—those who bring their talents and energy to the larger community—are our human resources. Houston is rich in a broad scope of creative individuals who practice a wide range of vibrant, diverse pursuits.

Creativity is an expression of who you are at that moment. To be more creative, you should involve yourself in something that is meaningful to you, but be yourself, and be humble. Pursue everything in moderation, and don’t force anything. Inspiration should come naturally
– Jonathan van Barneveld

Jonathan van Barneveld is a Grade 11 student at Houston Secondary whose name bodes possible diplomacy and a tenured seat at an ivy-covered progressive university. Although one of his main creative pursuits has been music (he is a gifted pianist who has independently created his own compositions, and who has won numerous musical awards throughout his musical career), Jon exhibits a creative mindset in all aspects of his daily life.

Creativity is not something he seeks to do: it is something he inherently lives, eats, and breathes. From spoken-word performances about the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 to impeccable George W. Bush impersonations while reporting current events, Jon demonstrates a joy in taking risks, thinking divergently, and challenging his own boundaries of comfort and understanding.

Creativity for Jon is an on-and-off affair, with periods of intensity alternating with time to recharge. “Creativity is an expression of who you are at that moment. To be more creative, you should involve yourself in something that is meaningful to you, but be yourself, and be humble. Pursue everything in moderation, and don’t force anything. Inspiration should come naturally,” he says.

Randi Woodbeck is also a Grade 11 student at Houston Secondary. She is a talented figure skater with accolades and awards too numerous to mention. Randi has been figure skating since she was four, and has been competitively skating since she was six years old.

If a skater invents a different take-off or creates a variation on a basic spin, the judges will recognize that.
– Randi Woodbeck

For a teenager, Woodbeck demonstrates an ability to focus and to commit to the task at hand. These are traits that have hugely contributed to her success so far, as figure skating is a rigorous event, and is technical to a fault. Once judged strictly according to technique, skaters are now also rewarded for creativity in their programs. “If a skater invents a different take-off or creates a variation on a basic spin, the judges will recognize that,” she says.

As an athlete in a technically very demanding sport, Randi nevertheless emphasizes the importance of achieving a relaxed state where creativity can flow in order to achieve optimum performance.

“If you’re too focused on the ground, you can be too worried, and this takes away from the looseness you need to skate well. The technique needs to provide a solid foundation so that you aren’t thinking about the details, but when I skate my best, I’m not thinking about it; I just do it.”

Megan Foden is freshly minted from the halls of Houston Secondary. Heading off to the University of Victoria in September to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Megan has been cartooning since she was five, and became captivated by Ariel of the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid.

Megan is primarily self-taught, and states that it has been very important to recognize that cartooning is a priority for her. “To be more creative, people need to differentiate between what’s important, and what’s not. Life should be about what’s important. If it’s not important to you, and you don’t need it, then get rid of it. It’s taking up space and energy, both of which could be used for creating.”

Megan exhibits a strong desire at times to shut out the world and create. “It is a solitary pursuit for me, and I need to get my ideas down on paper when that initial spike of inspiration hits. It’s crucial to the start of any project. I can get frustrated or angry if my need to get it down on paper is interrupted. Once I get it to a certain place, I can leave. Until then, it occupies me totally.”

There’s no magic in this—no fairies. It’s just you, and a lot of work, and muscle. Fight tooth and claw, and pony up!
– Megan Foden

There’s a certain amount of natural talent that can get one started, but, as Megan says, “There’s no magic in this—no fairies. It’s just you, and a lot of work, and muscle. Fight tooth and claw, and pony up!”

Tanya Margerm is a wife, mother of two girls, and a teacher by trade. Formerly a landscape architect with a degree from the University of British Columbia, Tanya also intrinsically embodies creativity. “Creativity has added to my children’s life; they smile more, and they are happier.”

Despite being potentially labeled as unorthodox, Tanya persists in doing things outside of the box. “When I ran a daycare, I would sprinkle Cheerios on the floor to encourage the babies to crawl and to stimulate development of their fine motor skills.” (Yes, she cleaned the floor first, you stick-in-the-muds!)

Her desire for divergence and diversity has won many fans, most of them young and keen to play. With a yard that was intentionally planned to offer safe, creative places for little people, it tended to be the focal point for the neighbourhood kids. “The neighbours would happily watch from a distance. They’d send the kids, but they wouldn’t partake themselves. That was fine.”

Her former profession, in conjunction with her natural ability to engage in creative play, stimulated her to make creative spaces a priority. “It was important to me to create spaces where the kids could be left to their own devices, where I could allow them to be creative in their own ways, in spaces they could own. We have a small yard, but in it, there is a garden for me, and a garden for them. The girls know their area, and they can do what they want in it.”

Inside the house, a room has been converted into an art studio, where the girls can create during inclement months. “Creativity isn’t always unorderly,” she laughs. “But whenever I get an idea, my husband rolls his eyes.”