EMERGING ARTISTS
Jamii's
RBC Emerging Artist Program
ANA DA SILVA, PHOTOGRAPHY
LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII
As part of the RBC Emerging Artist Program at Jamii, Ana Da Silva engaged in the creation of a photo exhibition, doubled-up with a series of mentorship sessions with a group of established artists, photographers, and curators.
By Isorine Marc – Jamii’s Alchemist:
“Back in the fall, when Ana Da Silva approached me with a project she wanted to explore, I was immediately moved by her kindness, her need for connection, her thirst for stories from our Elders, and her keen eye for the beauty carried by those who have lived long enough to wear their stories on their bodies. She told me about her idea—the Lila’s Project—and the support she needed to bring her vision to life. Without hesitation, we jumped on board, and Ana became one of Jamii’s 2024-2025 Emerging Artists, supported by the RBC Foundation, to bring this project to fruition.
Her concept is simple yet powerful: she sits with older adults in The Esplanade neighbourhood (though, from the start, her project had no physical boundaries) and listens to their life stories with curiosity and intention. She captures what she hears, writes it down with empathy and care, and then invites her subjects for a photoshoot. She has met with nine of our Older Adults, and together, they have embarked on a beautiful journey of storytelling.”
As part of this mentorship opportunity, Jamii is proud to support Ana in bringing this exhibition to life, and on May 25th at The Jamii Hub, her words and photographs will be unveiled. This will be an opportunity for Ana to share her work with an audience.
In addition to supporting the production of Ana’s project, Jamii also produced a beautiful video, directed by Laura Dittmann and Isorine Marc, with the support of Iris Unlu.
This Emerging Artist program was also the opportunity for Ana to be matched with tailored guidance in photography, storytelling, artistic identity, and project development, contributing meaningfully to her growth as an emerging artist and her work on a community-based photography project focused on the elderly.
With Jae Yang (Photography – Technical & Professional Guidance): Jae and Ana explored the technical side of photography—discussing portrait techniques, lighting for events, and equipment preferences. Ana left the meeting with valuable takeaways not only related to technique but also professional practice and adaptability. Jae expressed admiration for Ana’s strong artistic vision and encouraged her to continue developing her unique voice while building confidence and business skills for a sustainable artistic career.
With Catherine Sicot (Artistic Direction & Community Impact): Ana’s mentorship session with Catherine was emotionally resonant and reflective. They explored the deeper purpose behind Ana’s work with the elderly, drawing connections between storytelling and community engagement. Catherine encouraged Ana to reflect on how her project could serve the participants, not just the artist’s vision.
With Sabrine S. Hakam (Artistic Identity & Self-Representation): Ana met twice with Sabrine: once for conversation and mentorship, and once for a professional portrait session. Their dialogue centered on redefining what it means to be an artist. Ana, previously identifying more as a commercial photographer, was deeply impacted by Sabrine’s experience navigating both artistic and professional spaces. This mentorship opened up new perspectives for Ana, helping her begin to see herself as a creative artist with a distinctive voice and purpose.
With Eshe Mercer-James (Writing & Storytelling): Eshe reviewed Ana’s written narratives in detail, offering precise feedback on structure, clarity, and emotional rhythm. Although Ana initially felt exposed, Eshe’s thoughtful guidance gave her confidence and clarity in presenting stories that accompany her portraits. The mentorship helped Ana build skills in narrative crafting—essential for elevating the impact of her photo-based storytelling.
With Zarita Z. (Editorial Guidance & Narrative Focus): Zarita provided Ana with critical feedback on the short versions of her written stories. Together, they discussed ways to refine structure and sharpen narrative focus.
Jamii is deeply grateful to the RBC Foundation for supporting emerging artists like Ana Da Silva. Through this program, Ana has been able to explore new creative horizons, deepen her artistic practice, and lay the foundation for a future in meaningful, community-rooted art.
ANA DA SILVA:
Ana Silva is a Colombian-Canadian photographer based in Toronto. After years working in the corporate world, Ana made a bold shift to photography, driven by her passion for storytelling and human connection.
Her project “Lila” is a tribute to older adults in her community, combining intimate portraits with personal narratives. Through this work, Ana shines a light on lives often left in the margins—stories full of creativity, resilience, and quiet strength.
With each image, Ana invites viewers to slow down, listen, and see the extraordinary in the everyday.
FUNDERS:
