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Ebony R. Gooden

@signingwhileblack

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Deaf and Definitely Black based in YYC
[Producer, Writer & Community Builder]
Unfiltered on @blacknotivory
Founder of @deafinitelydigital

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AHHH!! I can finally share that my kids series Story Lab has been selected for AccessCBC Kids 2026-27!

I created Story Lab as a Visual Vernacular kids series where Deaf and hearing kids gather after school, and the stories they tell magically come to life.

I’ll be developing the project as creator, writer, and co-producer, alongside co-producer Alexandra Hickox.

I am beyond excited to see where this goes. It is just a start but I am manifesting that this project comes to life the way VV stories would come to life on screen.
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(ID: A playful Story Lab graphic on a white notebook-paper background with colourful school-themed illustrations including pencils, scissors, a magnifying glass, calculator, books, lightbulbs, and an apple. Ebony R. Gooden and Alexandra Hickox stand side by side in the centre, with a large chicken in the foreground. Text reads: “Story Lab,” “Selected for AccessCBC Kids 2026–27,” and “What if every story you told… came to life?”) by @signingwhileblack

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2 months ago

The 2026 Big Queer Variety Show presents co-host of the night:
EBONY R. GOODEN @signingwhileblack

Ebony R. Gooden is a filmmaker, artist, and community builder dedicated to creating what BIPOC Deaf communities need to thrive. As a community builder, she founded Deafinitely Digital and co-founded multiple initiatives including Survivance Collective and Silent Soul Studio, building platforms that amplify marginalized voices.

Working across Calgary's arts ecosystem with organizations like Inside Out Theatre, QuickDraw Animation Society, and Ghost River Theatre, Ebony transforms spaces through bold storytelling and accessibility innovation.
Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development and Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Ebony's work challenges traditional forms while creating safe spaces for BIPOC Deaf artists to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Through her intersectional lens as the Black Deaf artist in Calgary, she bridges communities and drives systemic change in the arts landscape.

The (next) Big Queer Variety show is a collaborative production between Kait Hatch @ksc_hatch and the delightful Oliver Twirl @oliver_twirl, funded by Community-Based Research Centre @thecbrc taken in Contemporary Calgary by @signingwhileblack

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3 months ago

Another hat to add to my growing list. I always thought I'd become a filmmaker or theatre creator. I never imagined I'd fall in love with writing too.

While packing for my move, I found old journals that reminded me this love has been there all along.

I'm so grateful to have written for Teeny Tales and The Squeaky Wheel Canada. A little late sharing this, but better late than never. If you haven't watched them yet, I hope you'll check them out.

So grateful for @cbckidsca, @thesqkywheel and everyone involved for bringing my ideas to the screen. by @signingwhileblack

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3 months ago

Two weeks. Countless conversations.

I started this journey thinking I was searching for answers about Black history. I left with even more questions for my own history. But it feels like the right place to begin.

Thank you to Crystal Wolfe and everyone who shared their time, knowledge, care, and creativity with us. This project changed me in ways I'm still discovering.

So grateful for this journey, and I can't wait to see where Braiding Histories goes next.

Co-creator: Crystal Wolfe
Design support: Cassie Holmes
Braider: Kehinde Oyekan
Photographer: Mike Tan
Producer: Col Cseke and Camille Craig
Dramaturg & consult: Chisato Minamimura

Special thanks to Inside Out Theatre and Canada Council for the Arts for making this possible. My heart is full.
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(ID: Black woman's face is almost hidden by her braids, showing more of her cornrows with single braids in the back. There is beads in the front being held in her hands. Her earrings and necklace is of nature with shells and stone.) by @signingwhileblack

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3 months ago

Today I get to announce another incredible artist who will be co-hosting the show! @signingwhileblack @blacknotivory

Ebony R. Gooden is a filmmaker, artist, and community builder dedicated to creating what BIPOC Deaf communities need to thrive. As a community builder, she founded Deafinitely Digital and co-founded multiple initiatives including Survivance Collective and Silent Soul Studio, building platforms that amplify marginalized voices.

Working across Calgary's arts ecosystem with organizations like Inside Out Theatre, QuickDraw Animation Society, and Ghost River Theatre, Ebony transforms spaces through bold storytelling and accessibility innovation.
Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development and Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Ebony's work challenges traditional forms while creating safe spaces for BIPOC Deaf artists to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Through her intersectional lens as the Black Deaf artist in Calgary, she bridges communities and drives systemic change in the arts landscape.

[Image Descriptions pinned in comments] by @signingwhileblack

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3 months ago

What do the day-to-day activities look like for an arts residency? Check out these behind the scenes clips from our time at the Anderson Center!
We are all working on different projects, often across very different forms of media. This month we’ve worked with clay, film and digital photographs, video, written words, doodles, paint, and more. And we’ve each enjoyed crafting our own daily routines in this beautiful space.

Come out to DAR capstone today at 6:30pm for even more insights into our individual artistic processes! Find more details at the link in this account’s page. by @signingwhileblack

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5 months ago

WALKER ART CENTER
“ART LOUNGE”
Community Social & Art-Making Event
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
5:00-9:00PM (Come & Go)
FREE ENTRY
ASL Interpreters On-Site
Music, Cash Bar, & Light Snacks
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Local guest Deaf Artist, Cynthia Weitzel, will guide participants creating moth elements for take home as well as to be included in a temporary public art installation titled: “GATHERING OF THE MOTHS.”
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Come meet the 2026 Deaf Artists Residency cohort and new DAR Coordinator, Daniel Katz-Hernandez!
An open community social and art-making event in partnership with Walker Art Center and the Anderson Center at Tower View.
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Featured DAR Artists:
Rachel Kolb, Ebony R Gooden, Kay Mendoza, and Rowan O’Bryan.

A diverse group of visual artists, writers and performers in from around the country and Canada for month of May residency in Red Wing at the Anderson Center at Tower View.
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Learn more about this amazing group, go to: facebook.com/deafartistsresidencyprogram

And for more information about WAC and Art Lounge event, go to: walkerart.org/whats-on/art-lounge

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Also On Exhibition: CHRISTINE SUN KIM’S
“ALL DAY ALL NIGHT” —If you haven’t yet experienced this show, it’s worth making the time to do so! taken in Walker Art Center by @signingwhileblack

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5 months ago

@signingwhileblack #artistbio #DAR2026

Ebony R. Gooden is a filmmaker, artist, and community builder dedicated to creating what BIPOC Deaf communities need to thrive. As a serial entrepreneur and advocate, she founded Deafinitely Digital and co-founded multiple initiatives including Survivance Collective and Silent Soul Studio, building platforms that amplify marginalized voices. Working across Calgary’s arts ecosystem with organizations like Inside Out Theatre, QuickDraw Animation Society, and Ghost River Theatre, Ebony transforms spaces through bold storytelling and accessibility innovation.
 Her recent films “Running Through Her Past” and “Expression Unmasked,” continue her mission of reimagining representation in media. Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Ebony’s work challenges traditional forms while creating safe spaces for BIPOC Deaf artists to be seen, heard, and celebrated. As a Black Deaf artist in Calgary, her intersectional lens bridges communities and drives systemic change in the arts landscape.

Fun fact: I used to own a restaurant called “Mykonos Street Grill” in 2019!

#deafartistsresidency @andersoncntr taken in Anderson Center at Tower View by @signingwhileblack

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6 months ago

Last day to RSVP! Inly a few spots left!

Hear what each character has to say and explore the evolving world of Coloured Skin through masks, sketches, and visual fragments from the film’s development.

Join us in the evening for a private work-in-progress showing and conversation with the artists.

🍽️ Food provided
📍 Nvrlnd Arts Foundation
🗓 March 28; public viewing 12-5pm and private showing 7:30pm
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Actors: Thurga Kanagasekarampillai, Connor Yuzwenko-Martin & Chad Wolfe
Project Manager: Mel Schneider
Character Designer: Carlisle Robinson
Mask creator: Green Fools Society
Director of Movement: Dean Bareham
Director of Photography: Alexandra Hickox
Producer: Ebony R. Gooden (Deafinitely Digital Inc)

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
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#ColouredSkinFilm #SilentSoulStudio #DeafArtists #YYCArts
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(Reel of different characters chatting excitedly about the event) by @signingwhileblack

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7 months ago

Stern. Controlling. Terrifying. 🦎

Inkwell is the headmaster of a school in the forest. Under his punishing tutelage, lizards learn how to obey and confirm and fit into mainstream society.

Known for: Hissing, glaring, reading new editions of Maclean’s Magazine.

🎉 Silent Soul Studio launch party: Saturday March 28.

12-5pm: open access (check out the costumes and set)

7:30pm: free private party with work-in-process film showing. 📽️

📍Address: Nvrlnd Artist Studio (The Boutique) 1048 21 Ave SE, Calgary AB

Email hello@deafinitelydigital.com to reserve your seat! Plus one’s welcome!

Video description: A black-costumed person wearing a large helmet-like iguana mask. The eyes are large, targeted, and imposing. Black spines run from the forehead over the back. The person signs in stilted ASL.

Transcript: “I am Inkwell. This is my sign name. I am the headmaster of this school. I have gathered all these children here. I protect them… teach them… I make sure they know the world is not safe. I know best! I am hearing! I drill it into them over and over… once they obey perfectly, my work is done. If they disobey… they must be punished.” by @signingwhileblack

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7 months ago

Some collaborations just feel like destiny.

We are beyond the moon and deeply honored to have the incredible Torrie Ironstar to the team as the Visual Designer for Rocky!

Bringing a character to life requires more than just a sketch; it requires a soul. With Torrie’s visionary eye and unique perspective, Rocky evolved into something truly breathtaking.

Bio: Torrie Ironstar is a contemporary Indigenous Nakoda artist born in Regina, Saskatchewan. Their practice blends vibrant color palettes, geometric structures, and spiritual-cosmic imagery to explore themes of resilience, transformation, and ancestral guidance. Rooted in Nakoda and broader Indigenous worldviews, Torrie’s work reflects the understanding that the past, present, and future exist in continual relationship.

As a Deaf artist, Torrie brings a distinct visual perspective shaped by attentiveness to movement, rhythm, and emotional resonance rather than sound. This Deaf perspective influences how stories are translated onto the canvas, emphasizing clarity, intuition, and visual intensity. Moments of darkness within the work are not depicted as endings, but as spaces of growth where inner embers continue to glow and guide the way forward.

Through their paintings, Torrie offers both personal reflection and collective reminder, honoring survival, cultural continuity, and the enduring presence of Indigenous knowledge.

Actor (Rocky): Chad Wolfe
Character designer: Carlisle Robinson
Mask creator: Green Fools Society
Director of Movement: Dean Bareham
Director of Photography: Alexandra Hickox

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
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(Reel of Torrie adding patterns with cree designs as a homage to Crystal Wolfe’s Cree culture in Alberta onto Rocky’s mask) by @signingwhileblack

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7 months ago

You know who else is absolutely awesome? The Green FoolsTheatre Society!

A massive thank you to Dean Bareham and his incredible team for guiding us through the mask-making process. Their expertise helped our actors breathe life into these characters in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We are so lucky to have such talent in our corner!

Featuring Rocky (Chad Wolfe's character designed by Carlisle Robinson)

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
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(Reel of the team building a turtle mask which then comes to life during a workshop taught by Dean.)
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#GreenFools #MaskMaking #PhysicalTheatre #BehindTheScenes #YYCArts by @signingwhileblack

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7 months ago