JimMacSwain

ca 2021

May 16, 1945 - September 6, 2025

James MacSwain was born in Amherst, received a BA in English from Mount Allison University, studied drama at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and worked in theatre and arts administration. Beginning in 1980 he worked in film and video, receiving both Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council grants. He helped to set up Atlantic Independent Media and worked for the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre in Toronto. His photography and collage art have been exhibited in both Toronto and Halifax. He taught courses in Super 8 and 16mm film, and was a member of the board of the Nova Scotia Arts Council.1

Jim died surrounded with love, by about 30 of us who sang him off into the next world. He has been in failing health the last few years and was tired. As in his life, he chose his death with the same resolve and strength that he lived life, always proud and in control. It was a very moving experience and he quietly slipped away, knowing he was loved. He taught me so much about living and will always be in my heart. -- DavePineo?

The official obituary and tributes to Jim are in this WayvesMagazine article.

Works & Notable Events

July 2, 1978

Performance during the 6th National Gay Conference, The Bearded Lady's Reflection. Here's an article about Jim and it, in The Body Politic

January 30, 1979

Three Monkeys anti-censorship demonstration at the Ralston Building2

1997

Essay in QueerLookingQueerActing.

January, 2004

someone writes: Radical Faerie comes to mind. Pagan. Minstrel. Court Jester. Lear's "Fool".

October, 2011

Jim wins the 2012 Portia White Prize, which recognizes the cultural and artistic excellence of a Nova Scotian who is a professional artist. Front page story in the November, 2011 WayvesMagazine about it.

2023

Documentary, Celestial Queer by Eryn Foster and Sue Johnson, about Jim.

March 2023 article in WayvesMagazine

September 18, 2023 premiere at the Atlantic International Film Festival

December 21, 2025

Friends and chosen family held a celebration of life on the solstice at Chain Yard Cidery, in combination with an art show in a nearby gallery. WayvesMagazine article here. There were "Hell Dollars" available to burn by the light of the moon, which Jim could use for money in the next world; Dan printed out a half-metre gold monk / phallus as a beacon to guide Jim to the next world, photo here.