ART TALK/ART WALK NOVEMBER 7, 2025:
In conversation with Artist Jordan Stranger: Reflections on the Past, Present and Future
Moderated by Susan Freig
CBC's Matt Galloway interview with Jordan HERE
Jordan Stranger, an Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer, originally from Peguis First Nation, is known for his colourful style represented through murals, illustrations, and graphic design. His artwork, using cultural influences and symbolism, can be found throughout Winnipeg and he is the designer and artist behind the Winnipeg 150 logo. Stranger’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions within contemporary Indigenous culture. Moderated by Susan Freig, and together with images of his work, we will understand how he uses his life experiences and spiritual practice, learned through Ojibwe teachings, to drive his artistic passions.
In conversation with Artist Jordan Stranger: Reflections on the Past, Present and Future
Moderated by Susan Freig
CBC's Matt Galloway interview with Jordan HERE
Jordan Stranger, an Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer, originally from Peguis First Nation, is known for his colourful style represented through murals, illustrations, and graphic design. His artwork, using cultural influences and symbolism, can be found throughout Winnipeg and he is the designer and artist behind the Winnipeg 150 logo. Stranger’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions within contemporary Indigenous culture. Moderated by Susan Freig, and together with images of his work, we will understand how he uses his life experiences and spiritual practice, learned through Ojibwe teachings, to drive his artistic passions.
Les Gillis
ART TALK/ART WALK October 3, 2025:Songs as Shelter
Join host Jasmine Tara for an evening with singer-songwriter Les Gillis, who has spent 25+ years blending storytelling and song across Canada and the U.S.
For the past decade, Gillis has chosen to perform in shelters, bringing his music to people experiencing homelessness and shining a light on housing insecurity.
Recently returned from an eastern tour from Winnipeg to Cape Breton Island, he shares reflections on how song becomes a form of solidarity, offering comfort while drawing attention to urgent social issues.
(Read the Winnipeg Sun article HERE)
This conversation will explore music as a gathering space, a source of care, and a call to action.
Join host Jasmine Tara for an evening with singer-songwriter Les Gillis, who has spent 25+ years blending storytelling and song across Canada and the U.S.
For the past decade, Gillis has chosen to perform in shelters, bringing his music to people experiencing homelessness and shining a light on housing insecurity.
Recently returned from an eastern tour from Winnipeg to Cape Breton Island, he shares reflections on how song becomes a form of solidarity, offering comfort while drawing attention to urgent social issues.
(Read the Winnipeg Sun article HERE)
This conversation will explore music as a gathering space, a source of care, and a call to action.
First Friday, September 5, 2025
We partnered with Video Pool Media Arts Centre to present:
Soul Analog - Anthony Valade
A one-night-only public presentation by Anthony Valade, recipient of the 2025 Scott Leroux Fund for Media Arts Exploration.
We partnered with Video Pool Media Arts Centre to present:
Soul Analog - Anthony Valade
A one-night-only public presentation by Anthony Valade, recipient of the 2025 Scott Leroux Fund for Media Arts Exploration.
The presentation opened with an ART TALK:
Analogue Video Feedback: Live, Endless Transformation
Experience images that spiral, shimmer, and reinvent themselves before your eyes with artist Anthony Valade
Discover the hypnotic art of analogue video feedback, where a camera films its own playback to create dazzling, ever-changing patterns of light and colour. This art talk, moderated by Susan Freig, brings the history and magic of analogue feedback to life and includes an interactive demonstration where guests help shape the visuals in real time.
Analogue Video Feedback: Live, Endless Transformation
Experience images that spiral, shimmer, and reinvent themselves before your eyes with artist Anthony Valade
Discover the hypnotic art of analogue video feedback, where a camera films its own playback to create dazzling, ever-changing patterns of light and colour. This art talk, moderated by Susan Freig, brings the history and magic of analogue feedback to life and includes an interactive demonstration where guests help shape the visuals in real time.
Anthony Valade
Anthony Valade currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba where they create and develop their personal perspective of false memories, vivid dreams, dense nightmares, and sensory intoxication through audio/visual representation. Using techniques such as, but not limited to; directional audio, noise experimentation, dialogue sampling, mood lighting, nostalgia for vintage consumer-grade electronics, and live analog video mixing, Anthony creates unconventional yet somewhat vaguely familiar moments for spectators with the hope they will discover something new about themselves.
First Friday, July 4, 2025
"Rooted in Resourcefulness"
Moneca Sinclaire, a Nehinan (Swampy Cree) artist from Northern Manitoba, transforms discarded materials into vibrant works of art inspired by the teachings of her Nohkom (grandmother). Her sustainable practice blends ancestral knowledge with contemporary methods, inviting all ages to see beauty in what we often overlook. Moneca’s work is a celebration of creativity, culture, and care for the Earth.
"Rooted in Resourcefulness"
Moneca Sinclaire, a Nehinan (Swampy Cree) artist from Northern Manitoba, transforms discarded materials into vibrant works of art inspired by the teachings of her Nohkom (grandmother). Her sustainable practice blends ancestral knowledge with contemporary methods, inviting all ages to see beauty in what we often overlook. Moneca’s work is a celebration of creativity, culture, and care for the Earth.
Moneca Sinclaire is Nehinan (Swampy Cree) originally from Northern Manitoba. She is a sustainable artist who learned art through her Nohkom (grandmother) who believed that the “Earth has only so much room in her belly” and so “we must learn to use everything.” Moneca’s Nohkom would turn candy wrappers in garland, make blankets/rugs/baskets out of old clothes and so on. Moneca, has taken various art courses throughout her practice to learn more about other forms of art, such as mosaic, pottery, book binding and so on. She works with many different age groups from youth to senior folks demonstrating and teaching ways to use everyday objects to create exquisite works of art.
First Friday May 2, 2025
We partnered with Video Pool Media Arts Centre & Harbour Collective for:
Dispelling Misconceptions: A Fresh Perspective on AI
Attendees were encouraged to join the discussion, ask questions, and explore their own thoughts on the intersection of AI and creativity in a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Artist and mentor Erika Jean Lincoln invited us to reflect on AI and how it has evolved. Through storytelling and critical insights, she challenged common misconceptions and opened up a dialogue on technology's artistic potential.
AI Mentorship Residency: Breaking the System participants, Aderemilekun “Oluuji” Olusoga and Kris Snowbird brought their unique perspectives to the conversation with a dynamic show-and-tell. They shared their initial encounters with AI, key takeaways from their residency, how AI has shaped their artistic practices, and the challenges they’ve navigated along the way.
This final presentation served as both a celebration of artistic discoveries and the closing event of AI Mentorship Residency: Breaking the System.
We partnered with Video Pool Media Arts Centre & Harbour Collective for:
Dispelling Misconceptions: A Fresh Perspective on AI
Attendees were encouraged to join the discussion, ask questions, and explore their own thoughts on the intersection of AI and creativity in a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Artist and mentor Erika Jean Lincoln invited us to reflect on AI and how it has evolved. Through storytelling and critical insights, she challenged common misconceptions and opened up a dialogue on technology's artistic potential.
AI Mentorship Residency: Breaking the System participants, Aderemilekun “Oluuji” Olusoga and Kris Snowbird brought their unique perspectives to the conversation with a dynamic show-and-tell. They shared their initial encounters with AI, key takeaways from their residency, how AI has shaped their artistic practices, and the challenges they’ve navigated along the way.
This final presentation served as both a celebration of artistic discoveries and the closing event of AI Mentorship Residency: Breaking the System.
First Friday April 4, 2025
People met at 210 Gallery at 210 Princess St. for their 7pm Art Talk.: Where the Light Fell.
After the Art Talk, we held our guided First Fridays Art Walk to a selection of galleries, artist-run centres and artist studios open late for First Fridays in the Exchange.
Part of FLASH Photographic Festival, the Exhibition featured the work of three contemporary female photographers from rural and Northern Manitoba, Caley Brown (Brandon), Susan Crawford-Young (Manitou), and Noelle Drimmie (Flin Flon).
Where the Light Fell examines how light transforms human experience, the exhibit captures fleeting moments where light touches its surroundings revealing both the poignant fragility and enduring beauty of life.
@caley.brown.photography
@crawfordyoung
@noelledrimmie_photography
People met at 210 Gallery at 210 Princess St. for their 7pm Art Talk.: Where the Light Fell.
After the Art Talk, we held our guided First Fridays Art Walk to a selection of galleries, artist-run centres and artist studios open late for First Fridays in the Exchange.
Part of FLASH Photographic Festival, the Exhibition featured the work of three contemporary female photographers from rural and Northern Manitoba, Caley Brown (Brandon), Susan Crawford-Young (Manitou), and Noelle Drimmie (Flin Flon).
Where the Light Fell examines how light transforms human experience, the exhibit captures fleeting moments where light touches its surroundings revealing both the poignant fragility and enduring beauty of life.
@caley.brown.photography
@crawfordyoung
@noelledrimmie_photography
On February and March First Fridays, 2025, we guided visitors on a walking Tours of Lights ON The Exchange in collaboration with The Exchange District BIZ!
First Friday November 1, 2024
Stardust and Stories
Seraph-Eden, a Red River Métis and Ashkenazi multidisciplinary artist, shared her creative journey through the mediums of beading, painting, and resin art.
From exploring outer space to the intricate beauty of her latest works, Seraph’s art is deeply connected to her heritage, her experiences with neurodiversity, and her belief in creating for the self first, despite outside expectations.
Discover how she navigates the ebb and flow of creativity, balancing personal expression with community engagement and cultural preservation.
Moderated by Jasmine Tara.
Stardust and Stories
Seraph-Eden, a Red River Métis and Ashkenazi multidisciplinary artist, shared her creative journey through the mediums of beading, painting, and resin art.
From exploring outer space to the intricate beauty of her latest works, Seraph’s art is deeply connected to her heritage, her experiences with neurodiversity, and her belief in creating for the self first, despite outside expectations.
Discover how she navigates the ebb and flow of creativity, balancing personal expression with community engagement and cultural preservation.
Moderated by Jasmine Tara.
Seraph-Eden is a Red River Métis and Ashkenazi multidisciplinary artist, consultant, facilitator, and trainer.
In addition to her visual arts practice, she has been a traditional Métis dancer for over 30 years and has worked both creatively and administratively in professional theatre, arts, and youth programming throughout her career.
Seraph-Eden studied Native Studies and Sociology at the University of Manitoba and uses her formal education, continuous knowledge-building, community guidance, lived experience, and observations to help organizations create safer spaces for workers and artists.
She also lends her support and skills to community groups and social justice causes with a focus on human rights, labour, colonial resistance movements, and cultural preservation.
Seraph currently lives in Winnipeg with her two children, loves to try new creative outlets and explore new ideas in the realms of history, politics, arts, and culture, and hopes to return to university soon to study archeology.
In addition to her visual arts practice, she has been a traditional Métis dancer for over 30 years and has worked both creatively and administratively in professional theatre, arts, and youth programming throughout her career.
Seraph-Eden studied Native Studies and Sociology at the University of Manitoba and uses her formal education, continuous knowledge-building, community guidance, lived experience, and observations to help organizations create safer spaces for workers and artists.
She also lends her support and skills to community groups and social justice causes with a focus on human rights, labour, colonial resistance movements, and cultural preservation.
Seraph currently lives in Winnipeg with her two children, loves to try new creative outlets and explore new ideas in the realms of history, politics, arts, and culture, and hopes to return to university soon to study archeology.
First Friday, October 4, 2024
Art in Set Design: A Conversation with Set Designer Brian Perchaluk and Royal MTC’s Artistic Director Kelly Thornton
Moderated by Susan Freig
Theatre set design creates a believable world for the audience to sink into, engaging with the story, characters, and mood. The styles mirror familiar art movements such as Expressionism, which emphasizes the emotional experience of characters over a realistic depiction of their surrounding. The stage’s physical environment, often altered or distorted, uses lines and shapes such as uneven floors, slanting walls, or elongated forms to create a deep, gut-level experience for the audience, digging into the complexities of the human spirit and life. Brian and Kelly shared a selection of Royal MTC sets and discuss the relationship between set design, director’s vision, and production.
Art in Set Design: A Conversation with Set Designer Brian Perchaluk and Royal MTC’s Artistic Director Kelly Thornton
Moderated by Susan Freig
Theatre set design creates a believable world for the audience to sink into, engaging with the story, characters, and mood. The styles mirror familiar art movements such as Expressionism, which emphasizes the emotional experience of characters over a realistic depiction of their surrounding. The stage’s physical environment, often altered or distorted, uses lines and shapes such as uneven floors, slanting walls, or elongated forms to create a deep, gut-level experience for the audience, digging into the complexities of the human spirit and life. Brian and Kelly shared a selection of Royal MTC sets and discuss the relationship between set design, director’s vision, and production.
First Friday, September 6, 2024:
Curator Dr. Riva Symko, WAG-QAUMAJUQ: Contemporary Artists Addressing Nature in Crisis
Curator Dr. Riva Symko, WAG-QAUMAJUQ: Contemporary Artists Addressing Nature in Crisis
Curator Dr. Riva Symko
Artists around the globe are concerned about nature and climate. They are creating transformative artwork, that is inspiring new ways of seeing our interconnected world. Riva Symko will share examples of creative and impactful artwork which explores the relationship between people, industry, economics and politics in climate change. We will see the power of artists to respond to land, colonialism, socio-economic, and environmental issues.
Speaker, Dr. Riva Symko is Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Curator of Canadian Art at the WAG-Qaumajuq. She has lived and worked across the continent – from Newfoundland to Alaska, holding posts with institutions such as the Kimura Gallery, University of Alberta Museums, [x]curated curatorial collective, and Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre. Her current areas of critical and curatorial interest include gender equity, climate change, and anti- racism.
We saw creative, impactful and thought-provoking images of artwork by artists who are confronting nature and climate. Moderator Susan Freig, and Riva’s conversation showed how their work is inspiring, guiding, and educational. They are change-makers.
Speaker, Dr. Riva Symko is Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Curator of Canadian Art at the WAG-Qaumajuq. She has lived and worked across the continent – from Newfoundland to Alaska, holding posts with institutions such as the Kimura Gallery, University of Alberta Museums, [x]curated curatorial collective, and Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre. Her current areas of critical and curatorial interest include gender equity, climate change, and anti- racism.
We saw creative, impactful and thought-provoking images of artwork by artists who are confronting nature and climate. Moderator Susan Freig, and Riva’s conversation showed how their work is inspiring, guiding, and educational. They are change-makers.