Kassandra M. Linklater

#artist #canadianartist #artprescription #granvilleisland2040

I spent 2014-2019 on a severe medical disability with an undiagnosed esophageal motility disorder. I was told I’d never work again, gain cognitive function, or really have a life. At one point, I had to do end of life planning… and I was given a social prescription… To use art and technology to do and see all the things I wanted before my time was up. So I spent… a year in a #VR headset. I’d go to concerts, I’d walk through historical moments, I’d travel through space, and future… and paint everything in my mind’s eye while lying horizontal. When I had the strength, I’d find myself attending gallery or exhibit that would a) let me in b) have a chair for when I’d get dizzy. In 2019, when my health started to stabilize, I picked up a brush… (and an air pig), and started creating.. leading me to join a female led art gallery on @granville_isle where I spent a few of my happiest years. And started dreaming of #granvilleisland2040. I wouldn’t be here today without that art prescription. I would have never co-founded a tech focused advocacy NFP, co-chaired the exploratory bid for @WebSummit or have become a @vanmag_com #Power50. Art changed lives. Art created GDP. Art is societal infrastructure. We must invest in this.

Not much drags me from my deep work dungeon… er, desk, these days.. but when I landed an invite to @VanArtGallery’s talk on “Nature, Art & Health: exploring innovation in social prescription pathways” - I was SO DOWN. Because story time…

As a sports fan you crave excitement. You crave emotion. You crave energy. Winning rules...but a month of sports fan almost-heaven is great too. Thank you @BlueJays #GoJaysGo

Let’s go @BlueJays #worldseries #toronto

My nerves weren’t made for this. @BlueJays

THREE OUTS AWAY BUCKLE UP FOLKS

Good evening sports fans. I’m getting married tomorrow. And then I’ll be back to regular programming. Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday evening wherever this finds you.

Wheels up for what’s looking to be a magical week in Toronto. #cominghomeagain

Huge congrats to @lorrainelowe_, @SpaceCentreYVR and all involved in this exciting chapter for one of Vancouver’s most loved spaces for creativity and wonder! 🎉

🎶I’m going to Graceland, Graceland… Memphis, Tennessee… I’m going to Graceland. 🎶 So stoked to hear the music of my childhood summers and the legendary @PaulSimonMusic #diamondsonthesolesofhershoes

"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Keeping our spirits high, hearts higher… and crossing fingers and toes that the @sskroughriders are still playing tonight at the stunning Mosaic Stadium. #saskystag2025

… but actually…

From Saskatoon to Echo Bay… now down to Regina… IT’S RIDER GAME DAY. #saskystag

For the record, I was responding to a post about Summer McIntosh swimming the 800m freestyle. Indeed, she is. Everything is fine over here. Just need more coffee. Flying to Saskatchewan tomorrow for my bachelor party. Riders game included. Buckle up.

Back in Vancouver and excited for the @KeiretsuAngels… before the OOO turns back in. #summerinthecity

Stoked to be at the @BoardofTrade Engaged Leadership program’s 2025 graduation with keynote Royce Chwin of @MyVancouver. As a proud graduate (‘24) I’m stoked to see how these leaders will leave their city better than they found it. Also, Royce from one punk to another… (bellow, white back and blue haired Kass) thank you for your belief in #teamvancouver 🙌🏻🎉

Okay Ottawa, it’s been a hot-minute. Time to bring the trouble making back to the city that defined my youth, my love of Canada, and belief in leaving our country better than we found it. #letsgo.

Listening to the leaders who’ve inspired the type of leadership and values that I aspire to at the #WebSummitVancouver BC Pavillion with the legendary @joshnilson Loretta Todd, and Denise Williams. #bctech #theOGs