Writing & Publishing

Claire Johnston is a Red River Métis and settler visual artist based in Winnipeg/Treaty 1 Territory. As a Two-Spirit Piitoshi-iteeyihtam (one who thinks differently), Claire engages in creating slow meticulous floral beadwork that responds relationally to the past and present.

Claire is an artist and team member with the Re*Storying Autism project (Queen's University), which works to combat Western, colonial, capitalist, and biomedical understandings of Autism through Autistic storytelling and narratives that affirm difference as desirable and needed.

As part of Canada’s official entry to the 2025 Venice Biennale, Claire was selected as a fellow to engage in research on Venetian seed beads and their connection to Métis beadworkers past and present. Their artwork has been acquired by permanent collections at the University of Manitoba (2024) and has exhibited at Urban Shaman (Winnipeg 25’), Rosemary Gallery (Winnipeg 24’), Tangled Arts (Toronto 22’, 24’), Festival du Voyageur (Winnipeg 24’), Venice Biennale of Architecture (Venice 23’) and The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art (Vancouver 22’).

Claire is a Sundancer, a step-parent, an auntie, and an MMF citizen with membership with the Two-Spirit Michif Local.

Hello, my name is Safra and I'm a university student at the University of Manitoba. I have been drawing for as long as I can remember, and my favourite mediums to use are copic markers and oil paint. I mainly do anime art, however I am slowly practicing more and more realism, and I am also trying new art mediums to help my expand as an artist. If I'm not doing art in my spare time, then I'm either reading or ice skating. Don't be afraid to reach out to me for any questions :).

Sarah Flynn is a performer and an award winning playwright and the Artistic Associate at Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Sarah studied Theatre Performance at the University of Winnipeg, is a self-taught puppeteer, became a Baby Clown at the Clown Farm, and trained in Suzuki technique with SITI Company. Sarah has performed in theatres, schools and community centers across Winnipeg, the Manitoba Interlake, and Italy. Sarah won the Harry Rintoul Award for Best New Manitoba Play at the 2022 Winnipeg Fringe Festival for her play Whatever Happens After?. Sarah enjoys frolicking in forests, lighting things on fire, and playing with her food.

Recent performance credits include; By The Spit of Your Tongue (Buried Seeds Prod.), How To Live Forever (Hypothetical Projects), Whatever Happens After? (Naked Theatre), Teatrino (Educo Italia), Romeo & Juliet (PocketFrock Prod.), Mary’s Wedding (Theatre Projects MB).

Recent playwriting credits include; By The Spit of Your Tongue (Wpg Fringe), Whatever Happens After? (Wpg Fringe), Deuce (Wpg Fringe Monologue Slam), Little Dead Lady (IbsenFest), Luna’s Suitcase (Wpg Fringe)

I am Charles- a student leader, writer, and aspiring filmmaker who cares deeply about people, stories, and the impact we leave behind.

I currently serve as President of the Brandon University Students’ Union, where I’ve had the privilege of representing student voices and working to build a more inclusive and supportive campus community. I’m also in my third year studying Computer Science, with a growing interest in the intersection between technology and storytelling

I’m a poet and writer. My first poetry book, “How You Feel” is set to go live on Amazon on the 25th of August 2025 and set to have a book launch at Brandon University on September 25th 2025.

I’ve always believed that my calling is to bring people together and that is what I have set out to do in my first poetry collection. How You Feel’s purpose is to let its reader realize that someone out there- perhaps unknown to them- feels they way that they do.

I am really passionate about writing and acting and directing. Last year I served as a Script Supervisor, and Assistant Stage Manager in a live theatre play titled “Life is Wonderful” at Brandon University. This play was directed by a drama professor and it was a great experience for me. I also played a character named “Charlie” in the play (it was funny because I’m Charles)

I’m also working on a screenplay that explores the complexities of family dynamics. I am looking at the impact on a family whose mother is an alcoholic.

I am looking to be mentored as I believe I have so much to learn. I believe I have the potential to tell powerful stories through poetry, public speaking, film, and screenwriting. I also want to collaborate with others so I can learn more and contribute to their projects as well

Author, Columnist, Multi-Platform Writing Professional, Public Speaker

Adept at features, interviews, professional & non-profit association newsletter content, humour writing and entertainment reviews. Published work has appeared in national & local magazines, major-market newspapers and online. Active in social media on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Substack - as well as blogging and podcasting.

Highlights:

20+ years national humour column

12+ years digital and print columnist for Postmedia,

6 years weekly humour column supplemental to The Kelowna Daily Courier

Podcast interviews have featured authors, singer/songwriters, actors, comics, directors, and more

2023 presentation at St. Norbert Arts Centre's annual Gerryfest on The Power of Storytelling To Connect With Audiences.

Laughter In The Library & Add Some Funny To Your Writing presentations in B.C. and Alberta. Presentation in Indianapolis to The National Society Of Newspaper Columnists on Reinventing Yourself As A Writer. 3x panelist at Calgary's When Words Collide writer's festival.