Jesse Birch (he/him) is a curator, writer, educator, and artist who was born and raised here on Snuneymuxw territory. He is grateful to be able to live in this dynamic and beautiful place that has been stewarded by the Snuneymuxw people since time immemorial. Jesse has lived in Vancouver, Seoul, Kyoto, and Amsterdam, and in 2014 he returned to the Island with his partner and son to reconnect with his home community and join the team at Nanaimo Art Gallery. Jesse has been active as a curator since 2001. He sees curating as both a job and a collaborative practice that brings artists and artworks into relation with people, places, and histories. Jesse also has an emerging practice as a potter, and has been an avid skateboarder for 35 years.