​Vanessa Brown and Jason Dickson, the owners of Brown & Dickson Bookstore, have nurtured a sustained relationship with the individuals that make up the communities of London, Ontario. In my independent artist capacity, I have enjoyed their friendship and been witness to their creative endeavours years before the opening of their bookstore.

More recently, Brown & Dickson Bookstore is one of the Embassy Cultural House’s (ECH) community partners and we have had the opportunity to work together building our network of contributors. 

Our collective ECH work extends to the presentation of storefront exhibitions in our "Cloud to Street" program - especially significant during the COVID-19 pandemic - giving artists a safe context for audiences to view their art. Writing and publishing projects have also been a part of our work and made it possible to reach beyond local audiences. With its original emphasis on Canadian writing and art and distributing of artists’ catalogues, the Brown & Dickson Bookstore has a very unique energy and focus. Vanessa and Jason's individual creative practice, combined with their commitments to supporting experimental art and writing, has led to the bookstore being recognized as a cultural hub in the city.  Fondly, I remember my enjoyable walks from our studio to the bookstore on Richmond Street with Karla, our family dog, was a very welcome break from my work routine. There, Karla, a shy Saluki, would be coaxed into the store by Jason or Vanessa and eventually found a relaxed companionship with Snakkers, the bookstore's resident dog. 


For all of our team at the Embassy Cultural House, Brown & Dickson Bookstore represents the best example of a bookstore any city could wish for - welcoming to artists, writers and book lovers and especially for all those who are passionate about the word independent!

- Jamelie Hassan, January 2022