& what of the woman at the well?

by Jessica Sanchez

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a]) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:7-13)

For nearly a year now I’d been sitting on the idea of doing a blog, and constantly going back and forth of whether I should do one or not. Are blogs out of date? Is this lame? Am I oversharing if I run a blog? And as I’ve been on this journey as a mission worker, I’ve been learning a lot, listening to others’ stories, feeling incredibly inspired and then uninspired and having nowhere to put it all down. As someone who loves to journal, I also felt a touch of dissatisfaction keeping it all to myself. And for someone who is consistently trapped with a million thoughts, ideas, dreams, visions, I finally decided to bite the bullet and just go for it. So, alas, this blog is a space created with the intention of it being an extension of my thoughts. An online journal for all of you beautiful people who are following along the journey. This blog is also created with artists and creatives in mind… Those who find themselves navigating the beauty, complexity, and calling of a life steeped in creativity. Whether you’re a painter, filmmaker, musician, designer, or simply someone who sees the world a little differently, this blog is for you.

A man washing his hands at a watering well. Unsplash.

As I write this, I felt the need to give context to this entry. I’m currently in Montreal, Quebec as part of our Mission Canada workers gathering, and as part of my ‘initiation’ as a new mission worker, we were asked to choose a single image that best describes our mission. Did I choose one relating to the arts? Surprisingly, no. I chose this very lovely stock photo of a man at a watering well (I know, please don’t crucify me for using stock images, I just didn’t have it in my personal photo bank).

I’ve been thinking about this image of a well for a very long time. Partly because I’d spent way too much time trying to think of a cool name for an artists’ initiative that I’m working on (spoiler alert: it’s called The Well… I will talk about this soon.) But I wanted to share this quick thought with you all, as it’s been deeply impacting me as I’ve been in Montreal.

Wells are often depicted in scripture as places of encounter and revelation. John 4 reminds us of this interaction between Jesus and a woman at this well… And as the story goes, this exchange becomes a spiritual and physical revelation to the woman of who Jesus is. Imagine being at a well and Jesus physically encountering you. I don’t know about you, but I’d be a blubbering mess.

Wells are also a symbol of God’s care and provision.

For as long as I’ve served on staff at a church as a creative pastor, I’d been plagued by this thought:

‘How do we care for our artists?’

Research has shown that 73% of artists experience anxiety or depression. (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada). This is significantly higher than the general population in Canada. In 2024, over 50% of artists reported a yearly personal income of under $40,000. There is an affordability crisis among Canadian artists, and with the rising costs of living, this makes it increasingly difficult for artists to continue working as artists. Nearly 70% of artists struggle with feelings of isolation, and 60% report mental health challenges tied to the pressures of their work. Artists are facing more than financial obstacles; they’re navigating a culture that often feels hollow, dark, and devoid of real purpose. 

This is incredible cause for concern. And after realizing that artists are actually among the marginalized community in Canada, I felt my heart break more and more for people who were like me.

Canada’s artists need a well.

This is why Renaissance Canada was born: to reimagine what it looks like to support artists holistically; spiritually, emotionally, and practically. I’m seeking to build a community that is rooted in hope and driven by purpose. Through mentorship, collaboration, advocacy, and education, our goal is to equip artists to not only create with excellence but also to thrive as whole people.

The hope for Renaissance is that we would be able to create spaces for artists to come, to be cared for, to be replenished, find sustenance, encouragement, and strength. To serve, support, and champion artists across this beautiful country that we call home. I believe art has the power to awaken hearts, challenge perspectives, and bring light to dark places. But I also recognize that many artists feel isolated, under-resourced, and overlooked… Especially in the face of budget cuts, mental health struggles, and a culture that often undervalues the work of the creative spirit.

In this blog/newsletter/journal (or whatever I end up calling this, I’m very indecisive), you’ll find reflections on art and faith, interviews with Canadian artists, behind-the-scenes looks at our events and initiatives, and thoughtful pieces on culture, storytelling, and the role of the artist in society. Think of it as a digital journal for those who are longing for deeper meaning in their creative pursuits.

I’m just getting started, and I’d love for you to be part of this unfolding story.