Ceramics

I am  a multidisciplinary visual artist, educator and visual arts advocate. I live at Schist Lake in Northern Manitoba. I work out of a studio there and at the Northern Visual Arts Centre (NorVA) in Flin Flon, MB.

Artist Statement Karen Clark

I am thrilled by the idea that people making and appreciating art works share so much with one another. This sharing is important to inspire conversations that are necessary in Canada today.

I paint the landscape here in the Boreal forest from the vantage point of my kayak or canoe. The terrain here is edgy and sharp. This is my cup of tea.

In June 29th 2026 I opened a show at the NorVA Centre in Flin Flon. The show of 31 oil paintings is focused on the local mine processing site nestled next to us here in Flin Flon. It is a remarkable juxtaposition, over 600 hectares devoted to extraction, crushing , smelting, prepping ore and managing waste products from those mining processes. The working title, The Long GoodBye: The Company, refers to the boom and bust cycle common to mine based towns throughout the world.  The show is exhibits until July 28 with an Artist Talk on July 21 2026.

Acknowledgement

My generation has seen the deconstruction of Canada’s colonial past. I follow the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the investigation of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls with a growing sense of horror and shame. Having my roots as a settler in this land, I have a shared sense of confusion and perplexity as to how we - settlers and Indigenous people - carry on together. As a result I find myself questioning my place in this landscape which is so fundamental to my sense of self.

Olivia Cassie (she/her/elle) is a biracial Haitian artist located on Treaty 1 Territory. As a self-taught artist, she enjoys exploring mediums from acrylic and oil painting to pastels and ceramics. Her art practice explores emotions such as grief and hope, helping her process her experiences. As an amateur ceramicist, she enjoys exploring shapes, colours and textures while learning to let go of the need for perfection.

Olivia is also a curator and the director of Black Artists Winnipeg, a local community organization which puts on events in collaboration with other arts institutions. With the Winnipeg Art Gallery, she plans an annual fashion show called "Threads: A Fashion Demonstration" and a concert on the rooftop, "Black Garden." She curated a 14-artist exhibition at the Edge Gallery in February 2026 titled "Where Our Roots Connect."

Olivia is currently a Bachelor of Art History student at the University of Manitoba, where she explores and challenges the ongoing legacy of colonialism in her research and writing. She believes that all art is political and through her broader art practice hopes to inspire empathy and understanding in her audience.

I am launching a business named Word Crow Creative that combines wise and wonderful quotes with artwork.

Nichol Marsch (she/they), is a Metis artist/artisan from rural Manitoba (Treaty 1). Her practice is primarily based in large-scale multifaceted installations involving a variety of mediums and grounded in fine craft processes. Nichols favourite mediums include ceramics, textiles, wood, and collected/found objects. In addition to their conceptual visual art Nichol is also an active beadworker and practices a variety of traditional crafts processes which often make their way into her more conceptual work.

I am a Canadian artist from Northern Manitoba, known for my realistic landscapes, still life compositions, and portraits. I started my artistic practice using acrylics but struggled to get the depth that I was looking for in my work.  Using oils is my preferred medium as I love the vibrancy and the richness of the paint.  With oil paint, I can explore intricate shapes and captivating colours. I'm inspired by the old masters, I enjoy capturing the interplay of light and shadow and sometimes employ a limited palette for subtle tonal variations.

I strive to uncover overlooked beauty, revealing elegance in still life, landscapes and conveying emotion in portraits. Through my work, I invite viewers to find solace in the simple joys and rediscover the magnificence of the world around us.