Freedom to Explore and Create
Norm Drisdell has always been drawn to creativity. At 67, he’s tried his hand at film, music, and spoken word, but what ties everything together is his ability to connect people. Today, much of that connection happens inside the Edmonton Public Library’s Makerspace at the Stanley A. Milner Library.
His introduction to the Makerspace was pure chance. “I came in to make stickers,” he says with a laugh. “Then I wandered into the music studio and saw the potential right away.” With encouragement from staff, Norm became one of the first people certified to use the space. That small decision opened the door to a community he didn’t know he was missing.
The timing couldn’t have been more significant. In the early days of the pandemic, Norm was diagnosed with cancer. He spent long stretches in the mountains with his dog, writing, creating, and reflecting on what mattered most. That period of solitude helped him clarify his priorities and, when he returned to Edmonton, he brought with him a renewed focus on connecting with other creatives.
“My motto is: healing through creativity and community.”
Since then, the Makerspace has become a hub for Norm’s creative life. He organizes open jam sessions where musicians, students, and curious newcomers can gather to play, record, and experiment. He’s helped people cut their first demos and taught others how to navigate the equipment. “People have told me I’m the glue that holds it together,” Norm says, reflecting on his role in the community. “And I like that.”
For Norm, it’s never just about the gear. “At a music store you can try instruments, but eventually you have to buy something,” he explains.
“Here, you can explore for free. That freedom changes everything.”
That freedom also gave Norm something personal: a return to performing after decades away. Participating in showcases connected to EPL’s Musician-in-Residence program reminded him why he creates in the first place. “My motto is healing through creativity and community,” he says. “Coming out of the pandemic, that’s what so many of us need.”
The Makerspace also offers Norm a platform to mentor others. He has welcomed filmmakers, guided students, and supported artists looking to take their work further. “I’m not just there for me,” he says. “I’m bringing people in, building community, and helping others create.”
Still, he is clear-eyed about where things could improve. Norm believes consistency is key: “Apparently, before the pandemic, the jams were quite regular and well attended. Now if there are eight a year, we’re lucky.” Outreach matters too. “I’ve been to music events and there’s never any posters or plugs for the Makerspace,” he adds. For him, keeping programs visible and regular ensures people keep showing up.
He also sees opportunities for growth. Stronger ties between the Musician-in-Residence program and the Makerspace, as well as more diversity in who gets featured, could open new doors. “It would be a really smart move to find an Indigenous singer-songwriter who could commit to that,” he suggests.
Through it all, Norm keeps showing up. To jam, to teach, to listen, and to create alongside others.
“Because of the Edmonton Public Library,” he says, “I found the community of creative people that I love playing with.”