The Colourful Plant That Keeps Growing: Princess’s Journey at the MacPhee Centre
When Princess first came to the MacPhee Centre, she didn’t quite know what to expect. Her mom had heard about it from a friend and suggested that Princess give it a try.
What she found wasn’t just a place to pass the time. It was a space to create, connect, and discover parts of herself she didn’t know were there.
“It felt like a better version of art class,” she says.
At first, Princess joined because her mom encouraged her to try it out. But before long, she was signing up for programs on her own; clicking any open spot on the Google form that fit her schedule.
She dove into arts and crafts, drop-ins, and BIPOC programming. Over time, the MacPhee Centre became a community that helped her open up socially, not just artistically.
“I was an immensely quiet kid in school,” she explains. “But the MacPhee Centre, we’re all working on things together, and there was a chance to actually connect.”
That sense of connection led to growth in unexpected ways. Princess got her first paid job through the MacPhee Centre, working as our summer youth leader and developing skills that helped her land future opportunities.
“MacPhee was my first paid job, and it helped me get my next job, and the one after that.”
Through crafts, painting, beading, and even melting beads, Princess learned that art could express what words couldn’t.
“That’s the thing about art,” she says. “It helps you express things you can’t really say. Sometimes you make something and realize ‘Oh, I really was thinking that.’ It helps you unlock different parts of your brain.”
Last year, Princess earned the Don Pether Emera Future Leader Scholarship through MacPhee Centre and is now completing her second year of university.
“It’s so necessary, especially if you’re someone heavy on calculations and books. Art helps you look away from the numbers for a bit. It’s calming and it feels good for your brain.”
When asked what’s grown in her since joining the MacPhee Centre, Princess paints a vivid picture.
“I probably grew into a very funny-looking plant, in the best way possible. The plant has all kinds of leaves—colourful, tie-dye, like splash paint. It’s also got vines, so it’s touching a lot of other trees. That’s the connection part. From the top it might look like a normal tree, but if you flip the leaves, it’s full of colour. The fruit? Totally random—apples one day, pineapples the next.”
It’s a perfect metaphor for what the MacPhee Centre stands for: growth that’s vibrant, unique, and full of life.
For Princess, the MacPhee Centre was more than a studio or a youth program. It was a space where she could just be; not the “older sister,” not the “quiet student,” not the “serious one at church”, but her creative, talkative, imaginative self.
It even helped her gain independence in everyday life.
“MacPhee Centre was how I got used to taking the bus, which led to me being able to take it by myself. So when I got work in Halifax, I remembered how to take the bus to MacPhee and was able to get there.”
And when asked what she’d tell a young person nervous about joining, she doesn’t hesitate:
“Stop being nervous—why wouldn’t you want to go to the MacPhee Centre? Nobody’s judging you there. Even if you create a blob, it’ll probably be the best blob you’ve ever made.”
Princess’s story is a reminder of what happens when young people are given the space, tools, and encouragement to create. Her growth took root in a community that believed in her potential.
This fall, we’re celebrating stories like hers through our campaign, Where Seeds of Potential Take Shape.
Because when youth like Princess are supported, creativity blooms. Confidence grows. And the future becomes a little more colourful.
At first, Princess joined because her mom encouraged her to try it out. But before long, she was signing up for programs on her own; clicking any open spot on the Google form that fit her schedule.
She dove into arts and crafts, drop-ins, and BIPOC programming. Over time, the MacPhee Centre became a community that helped her open up socially, not just artistically.
“I was an immensely quiet kid in school,” she explains. “But the MacPhee Centre, we’re all working on things together, and there was a chance to actually connect.”
That sense of connection led to growth in unexpected ways. Princess got her first paid job through the MacPhee Centre, working as our summer youth leader and developing skills that helped her land future opportunities.
“MacPhee was my first paid job, and it helped me get my next job, and the one after that.”
Through crafts, painting, beading, and even melting beads, Princess learned that art could express what words couldn’t.
“That’s the thing about art,” she says. “It helps you express things you can’t really say. Sometimes you make something and realize ‘Oh, I really was thinking that.’ It helps you unlock different parts of your brain.”
Last year, Princess earned the Don Pether Emera Future Leader Scholarship through MacPhee Centre and is now completing her second year of university.
“It’s so necessary, especially if you’re someone heavy on calculations and books. Art helps you look away from the numbers for a bit. It’s calming and it feels good for your brain.”
When asked what’s grown in her since joining the MacPhee Centre, Princess paints a vivid picture.
“I probably grew into a very funny-looking plant, in the best way possible. The plant has all kinds of leaves—colourful, tie-dye, like splash paint. It’s also got vines, so it’s touching a lot of other trees. That’s the connection part. From the top it might look like a normal tree, but if you flip the leaves, it’s full of colour. The fruit? Totally random—apples one day, pineapples the next.”
It’s a perfect metaphor for what the MacPhee Centre stands for: growth that’s vibrant, unique, and full of life.
For Princess, the MacPhee Centre was more than a studio or a youth program. It was a space where she could just be; not the “older sister,” not the “quiet student,” not the “serious one at church”, but her creative, talkative, imaginative self.
It even helped her gain independence in everyday life.
“MacPhee Centre was how I got used to taking the bus, which led to me being able to take it by myself. So when I got work in Halifax, I remembered how to take the bus to MacPhee and was able to get there.”
And when asked what she’d tell a young person nervous about joining, she doesn’t hesitate:
“Stop being nervous—why wouldn’t you want to go to the MacPhee Centre? Nobody’s judging you there. Even if you create a blob, it’ll probably be the best blob you’ve ever made.”
Princess’s story is a reminder of what happens when young people are given the space, tools, and encouragement to create. Her growth took root in a community that believed in her potential.
This fall, we’re celebrating stories like hers through our campaign, Where Seeds of Potential Take Shape.
Because when youth like Princess are supported, creativity blooms. Confidence grows. And the future becomes a little more colourful.
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Help Young Artists Bloom
Your support keeps the MacPhee Centre’s programs free, inclusive, and creative, so more youth can discover who they are and what they’re capable of.
Here’s how you can be part of it:
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Let’s plant possibility.
Let’s grow futures.
Let’s make sure every seed of potential take shape.