Everybody's Got A Story: A Starving Artist
- Apr 30, 2016
- 4 min read
The Starving Artist gallery café is a safe haven for the poets and the artists, for the dreamers and the thinkers, the critics and the collectors, the window shoppers and the Sunday brunchers.
It is true that there is something there for everyone, which is what the owner, Christina Hajiioannou, has cultivated purposefully. In Toronto Christina, being a two-time cancer survivor, (Which she speaks about candidly as a guest blogger on Discover Brantford) decided to leave her 9-5 desk job and embarked on a journey of healing with passion. She took up a different line of work, in the bar-tending scene, to allot more time to focus on creating. This came with a lot of successes, as she began curating art shows at various bars and cafes, with live entertainment of all sorts and catering, much like a moving version of what the Starving Artist is now, but it was when she lost the steady income of her job at the bar that Christina decided she was going to try to turn her passion into a career. (You can read more about this in the article from 2009 in The Toronto Star) The gallery and café itself is a healing vessel for Christina and all that come to visit; a place where you are surrounded in positivity, dreams, and creativity. Christina says it is a combined effort of healing with her and her staff, they can not bring negativity into this space, which translates into happy employees and happy patrons.
When I first visited the café, I was there for The Brant Rant; a monthly open-mic and poetry slam event coordinated by Barb Day, and there was something so drawing about the whole event and place for me, and evidently a lot of other people as the place was packed. Its walls, an ever changing gallery; this week the walls are set for the “Reflections” Art Show Gala, in support of Bounce Back, Mental Health Week. The art on display and for sale, are meant to reflect the support of those touched by mental illness and 10% of the proceeds will go directly to the cause.
During our interview the place was a buzz. With new art for the Gala just being hung, there were perspective artists coming in with questions and the local newspaper popping in to get the details on the upcoming event. One of the things I love most about Christina’s story is how she is following her passion. I was thrilled at the chance to speak with her about her endevours, the pursuit of following your dreams, success, the human connection, and healing.
One thing that is a common stunt in us chasing our dreams is doubt. When I asked Christina about how she dealt with facing doubts her response was most uplifting. She explained that while there have been many obstacles, hardships and things to learn along the way, she never really doubted what her passion was and she clung to that. She said that trusting in her passion, and the goodness and the energy of it, was assuring to her. She said further, that we are our energy and so if we are happy and good, we attract happiness and goodness. She’s held tight to her devotion to herself and her projects and trusted it and that has been what has got her through.
Another thing that stunts the journey is the sacrifices we have to make in order to pursue them. Often these are financial, and one Christina knows well. After losing her steady job and turning to her creative pursuits full-time, while there is no magic button for reassurance, her devotion and belief in her self was the guiding light for her, and she encourages others to do the same.
Beyond the moments of doubt and sacrifice there are defining moments where our journey starts to add up and we can mark that one thing had led us to another. For Christina she can recall many, but in terms of the café and gallery pursuits, she recalled when the Starving Artist first opened, and she began to recognize the faces of her customers, which meant she had regulars, which meant there were people here in Brantford, this new town to her, who shared her interests and passions and kept coming back for more. Other moments for her that were reassuring that she was on the right path were when the artists, customers, entertainers, musicians, comedians, alike, have said to her over the last 10 months since the opening, how much they appreciate what she’s brought to the town, and how much they love the gallery and café.
Success, to Christina, means happiness. Above all things, she says, this is what we all want and need. Of course, that has to encompass being secure, financially and morally and feeling good about what you’re doing. That is success, making a living and an impact doing something that makes you happy.
The goals for the gallery are to continue to let it grow into what it is supposed to be. Christina is always changing up the menu, entertainment and the events and is always looking for something new and adventurous to try.
Coming up at the Starving Artist Café and Art Gallery:
Friday April 29, kicked off the start to the Reflections Gala in support of Bounce Back, Mental Health Week. The art will change as it sells from now until May 6.
Tonight: Party and Open Stage Event from 6pm to 11pm
Every Wednesday: Comedy Night
Every Thursday: Open Mic Jam! Live local musicians
Friday May 6 (first Friday of every month) The Brant Rant – Open Mic & Poetry Slam
Saturday May 7 Bryan Proper will take the Stage from 6 pm-8:30pm and then at 11
Into the Sun will perform
Sunday May 8, MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH – Special Menu. Book reserved seating now so your table can be artfully arranged for your mom!
As well there is ALWAYS new art to look at and purchase, or as Christina puts it, waiting for their soul mates.
I'd like to thank Christina and the cafe and gallery for taking the time to sit down with me and share the many stories in the making. Thank you all for reading and please join me next month as I meet with another soul with another story.
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