Author Archives: Brianna

Thank you to our members for putting yourselves forward for election as part of the new contingent of board directors. Nominees will be elected at the Special General Meeting on November 26 at 7PM CST. If you plan to attend the SGM, please send an RSVP to brianna@aceart.org and we will send you a meeting invitation when it is closer to the SGM date. 

We look forward to embarking on this new chapter of aceartinc. See you at the SGM! 

Allison Yearwood

She is an alumni of the University of Winnipeg, with a political science and business administration degree, and brings a fresh focus to the business of arts administration. Allison returns to her hometown, Winnipeg, from the Banff Centre, where she was Program Manager at the Indigenous Arts Department. Previously, Allison served as Art and Business Manager at Yamaji Art, an Aboriginal art centre in Australia, and was the General Manager of Collective of Black Artists in Toronto. Allison was the Programming and Events Coordinator at the Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre in Fort Smith, North West Territories, and was the first non-Indigenous staff member at Urban Shaman Gallery in Winnipeg. Allison advocates for racialized and disenfranchised groups to decolonize institutions of power from the ground up. She is exceptionally skilled on issues of equity and a powerful and transformative voice for anti-racism action. Allison’s institutional critique articulates the creation of safe spaces for underserved communities within the institution. 

Albyn Carias

Albyn Carias is an interdisciplinary artist living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He immigrated to Canada from El Salvador at the age of 13 and has a BFA from Brandon University Ishkabatens waasa Gaa inaabateg, Visual and Aboriginal Arts Department. Carias’ process focuses on experimentation with unconventional materials, pushing against imposed social and artistic borders. This is achieved through meaningful engagement with his Latino community in Manitoba. The collaborative nature of community-based artwork addresses the barriers that Latino immigrants face every day. Carias served as Vice-President and Arts Coordinator for Brandon’s Latin based organization, Hispanic Association of Manitoba Inc. (HAMI). He developed intercultural art programs that created space to raise the voices of his community. He worked as Gathering Helper for the Beading Symposium: Ziigimineshin, complimenting his ability to navigate the responsibilities he holds as an ally and person living on these territories.

Michelle Panting

I am an alumnus of aceartinc.’s Cartae Open School and have spent years attending aceartinc.’s shows and engaging with its community. I understand that aceartinc. is in a period of transition and intends to move forward with a commitment to dismantle the systemic oppression that has long been a part of our artistic community. I understand that this will not be a quick or simple issue to address, and as a queer white artist who has benefitted from ace’s programming and community, I hope to be a part of this new direction.

In my work as a manager of the local cafe Fools & Horses, I have attended anti-oppression training hosted by the Red Tent. I also worked with the management team to consult on the development of anti-oppression policy as part of their employee and management handbooks. I have spent years volunteering my time as a photographer with local festivals such as send + receive and Synonym’s Wall-to-Wall Mural and Cultural Festival. Through these experiences, I have come to understand the vital role that art can play in the development of community. I also know that in any community organization, the failure to address unchecked power and privilege can fundamentally undermine its aims.

I believe I would be a good board member due to my strong work ethic, communication skills, and attention to detail. Thank you for your time in considering my nomination.

Rob Crooks

I am the Development Coordinator at Graffiti Art Programming, where I have worked for over a decade. During my time with GAP, I have delivered and supported youth arts programming, handled grant writing and reporting, and worked as a gallery technician. This wide range of experiences has given me a thorough understanding of the challenges that arts organizations face. A year ago, I joined the Board of Directors at CKUW where I have participated in subcommittees dealing with issues such as: finding a more accessible space for the station; organizing an in-person SGM during the pandemic; and planning the annual fundraising drive in a way that respects the necessity for physical distancing. As a musician, I believe that one’s art should be the reflection of their community engagement, not the extent of it. Until COVID-19, I volunteered in English classes at Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Centre. I am also involved with various grassroots groups organizing for the universal right to housing, fighting against evictions, and the privatization of social housing. It’s often taken for granted that artists and arts organizations improve the lives of everyone equally. What is perhaps less easily accepted is the potentially conservative or even reactionary role they can play, if not acting with intention. The position aceartinc. finds itself in today holds a lot of potential. I believe that I have a skill set that would be of value to the staff in achieving its vision for a new kind of arts organization. 

Darryl Nepinak

Darryl Nepinak is an Indian, writer, film maker, committed youth mentor and educator, occasional curator and performer. Darryl is interested in education and using personal experience when creating work. Primarily known for his playful and pointed videos, Nepinak was introduced to filmmaking at the Winnipeg Film Group and his first short was Last of the Nepinaks, 2005. Since then his work has been shown from Aotearoa all the way to New Zealand. Darryl is currently intrigued by studying and experimenting with pinhole photography. And lives in the Courtyard Village in Winnipeg.