Elk Valley Quarantine Journals

Photo: Gabi and her dog, Timbon. "I don't have many photos of myslef and I'm always carrying a camera."

My name is Gabriela Escobar Ari and I am a Canadian-Bolivian photographer. I started the Elk Valley Quarantine Journals.

The Elk Valley Quarantine Journals is a photo documenting project with the purpose of gathering donations to support the Elk Valley Covid Support Team while also trying to uplift people's spirits through images, and following the social distance protocol. I am glad to be able to document how we are adapting to this pandemic and the changes we are forced to take.

I decided to start the project because I wanted to help to the community. It was scary seeing the fast spreading of Covid-19 around the world, and how hard it was hitting so many countries.

The idea of the project started the first week of April, I wasn’t quite sure how to execute it, as didn't want to put anyone at risk. I reached to photographer friends in Calgary, Toronto and Bolivia. I knew they were documenting how social distance, self-isolation and restrictive quarantine is being experienced where they are. At the same time I was looking to support Covid initiatives in town and found the Elk Valley Support Team. I emailed them offering my help and got in touch with Ty Hanlon who very kindly started coordinating to promote this project.

In the beginning, I was focused in Fernie, but friends in Sparwood asked if I could take their portraits, so I decided to include other towns. To date I have documented 64 families in Fernie and 14 families between the Sparwood and Elkford area.

Everyone is welcome to send a message through the Quarantine Journals Facebook page or to contact me at 250-423-0242. You receive four images, and if you would like to make a donation you can visit the Elk Valley Covid Support Team Website and go into the Donations section.

I want to thank to the Elk Valley Covid Support Team and the Mountainside Community Church for the work they are doing for our communities. You never know when you may need help and if someone needs physical, emotional or spiritual help, please go to them. I couldn not do this by myself, so I want to thank my personal supporters, Gonzalo, Ange, and Kriss as well.

I would also like to thank the people who decided to support their community by allowing me to document their social distance/quarantine time. Thank you Fernie! Thank you Elk Valley!