Mary Lou Arnold

The DTES Small Arts Grant has inspired me to revisit my love of designing, creating and sewing dance costumes again. I have based my theme on Pride with its fabulous rainbow of colours and the costumes I created are a variety of classic stage costumes.

I am a self-taught, creative artist. My mother was an apprentice tailor in Ireland and I was one of eleven children. My mother could take a burlap sack and turn it into high fashion! She made sure there was colour and beauty no matter what the circumstances. I have followed in her steps.

I was born and raised on the North Shore and worked as a wardrobe mistress for many dance schools in the Lower Mainland. Due to a difficult journey, I have been living in the DTES for the past 15 years. No matter how bad things can get, you can always better yourself if you have the will. I hope to continue my career as a costumer and I am grateful to the DTES Small Arts Program for enabling me to get my feet wet. I would like to be an active contributor to the performing arts community again.

Profile Photo Credit: Alex Waterhouse-Hayward, Photographer.