Dear Bear Multi-Arts is a St. Catharines based non-profit arts collective, made up of Alex Sykes, Taylor Bogaert, and Josh Loewen. We're a team of designers, directors, actors, builders, writers, and makers who strive to create immersive, dynamic, and form-breaking art. We're always reimagining the ways in which stories and art can be experieced. As a company, we believe wholeheartedly in building community and creating unique arts experiences. Dear Bear aspires to instill a sense of hope and wonder in our audiences.
Why Don't We Together (WDWT) is Dear Bear's flagship project!
Coming Up: Niagara Children's Festival May 15th - 17th 2026
Why Don't We Together (WDWT) is an electric and intimate audio-visual installation featuring original audio short stories, rich soundscapes, and immersive lighting. The whole experience takes place inside “The Hut” - a cozy 10ft x10ft custom-built octagonal structure. Audiences are invited to enter The Hut with up to 7 others, (plus room for one wheelchair), where they can collectively choose from a selection of audio stories just by pushing a button. Once they do: the walls, seats, ceilings, and airwaves come alive to transport everyone into the world of each story.
Each story has been commissioned from Ontario artists specifically for this project, with each of them voicing their own story. Stories last from 3-8 minutes each. Audiences are encouraged to open the door in between stories, so as to invite others inside, or to make room for those waiting outside. The structure of The Hut was intentionally designed so that audiences would be facing each other while experiencing it. Indeed, as the inner panels light up to a rainbow of intricately designed colours, each audience member is framed by the lights behind them, bringing audiences into the foreground of each others’ experience. The Hut. Why Don’t We Together is an intimate, innovative, and mindful way of experiencing stories together.
Production Manager & Technical Director
Alex is an artist of many kinds, finding a special passion for lighting and sound. Also, and this is important, he's the best person you'll ever meet.
Artistic Director
Taylor thrives telling stories. Acting, writing, creating, he's an artist through and through. Also, the only person who might be better than Alex, oops.
Executive & Associate Artistic Director
Josh likes to try new things, and he's long time grateful to be able to do that with people as wonderful as these grade A goofballs.