The Regional Assembly of Text was opened in August of 2005 by Rebecca Dolen and Brandy Fedoruk. Their space acts as both a studio and a storefront. Focusing on text as a theme, the store features handmade gift items designed and built by the two former Emily Carr Fine Arts grads. Having this venue has also allowed them to curate shows and host events. Each month their “lowercase gallery” (a small space under the stairs) features the new work of a local artist. The pair also host a “letter writing club”, free and open to the public, which gathers to type or hand-write letters to friends or family on the first Thursday night of every month. Their space is located at 3934 Main Street.

Before you continue reading this indie profile, Rebecca and Brandy would also like it to be known that neither of them likes cantaloupe, not even in the least…

INDIE PROFILE

Three things about your neighbourhood that make you want to live there

Brandy: Mount Pleasant – Having my bank, a video store and a liquor store within 3 blocks of my house. So so very quiet.  Close to work & some very nice parks.

Rebecca: Commercial Drive – The mix of interesting people. Good, cheap eats. Active community spirit.

From the antique drink fountain that figures prominently on the Regional Assembly of Text coat of arms to Vancouver’s best collection of old school typewriters and the bank of lockers and filing cabinets that line the back of your shop, it’s clear that you spend a fair amount of time hunting through flea markets, garage sales and auctions…what was the best score ever?

Our bank of four mint green vintage school lockers bought for a total of $8 was probably our best find in terms value. But we do love our drink fountain dearly, as well as our cursive typewriter found at a thrift store down the street.

Where do you enjoy shopping in Vancouver?

Surprisingly for two ladies that own a store, we do very little shopping. But we do love eating out. Our favourites are… Six Acres, Dona Cata, Bandidas, Cascade, Zipang Sushi, Slickety Jim’s and Chongqing.

Is there a local designer that you admire? Why?

Georgie Russell of Hand & Shadow, Sasha Freeman of Track and Field and Julie Morstad’s Illustrations. These three ladies are very talented and make beautiful things.

What inspires you?

Brandy: scrap pieces of paper, small spaces and used building supplies.

Rebecca: lines drawn by Pilot G-Tec C4’s, old children’s books, especially ones illustrated by Alice Provensen.

Tell us about your favourite space to work:

Rebecca: At my house, on my computer, in Photoshop.

Brandy: On any clean surface in absolute silence.

What is your favourite Regional Assembly of Text creation right now?

Brandy: Our newest Mixed Paper Stationery Set.

Rebecca: Our Dictionary T-shirt, which was initially designed as wrapping paper. I can’t get enough of this image.

What sort of music do you listen to when you are working?

We’ve been known to overplay the Wes Anderson movie soundtracks. But our current favourites are, She & Him, the Kinks, Chad VanGaalen, Wolf Parade, Vampire Weekend and the local band Apollo Ghost. We also love listening to radio episodes of This American Life.

Is there a Vancouver event that you look forward to attending or taking part in?

We both love Blim (at 17th and Main) and can’t believe how many amazing events, workshops and craft fairs they put on. We’re especially excited about their new monthly market (usually the last Sunday of each month), which is a craft fair plus…market, food vendors and collectibles.

Why is Vancouver a good city for indie design?

Rebecca: I feel like the indie design scene is more flexible here because it is younger and smaller. Because there aren’t as many established events and venues as other cities, it motivates people to create their own place in the scene.

You seem to be happily afflicted by a text fetish and appear to be bibliophiles as well, were you librarians in a past life or is there some other explanation?

We think it may have started with a Book Media course we took at Emily Carr. We began making and collecting little books right then & there and haven’t really stopped. Our lowercase reading room (located inside The Regional Assembly of Text) houses our extensive collection of self published books for everyone to enjoy.

Describe your favourite part of a typical Regional Assembly of Text day:

Brandy: getting the mail, watering the plants and restocking the card wall. My least favourite thing (in case you are interested) is answering the question “What IS this place?”

Rebecca: although it doesn’t happen every day, my favourite thing is designing packaging, putting the finishing touches on a new product and putting it out in the store. My obsessive compulsive disorder also allows me to enjoy reorganizing our studio until Brandy makes me stop.

If you were to choose one of your creations (card, book, t-shirt, anything) to send to the Queen, which one would you choose, and why?

Rebecca: Our Letter Writing Box, which is filled with a mix of all our favourite paper things, from old envelopes and vintage graph paper to shipping tags and rubber stamps. Although it might not be fancy enough for the Queen. I imagine she’s a letter writer.

Brandy: I would send her our new British Columbia card that has a button of Vancouver on it. Inside I would write…”Pleased to meet you.”