Resources

Rhael McGregor is an award winning Métis, 2Spirit/Queer, Winnipeg-based cartoonist and animator. Their published works include Mortified, Touching Grass, Little by Little, and The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne. Rhael is also the writer and director of 'Dracudate', an award winning short film with around 2M views on youtube as of 2025. Rhael's work ranges from sweet stories of witches falling in love to more serious autobio comics about learning love while surrounded by abuse or grappling with Métis identity politics.

No matter what they create, Rhael always hopes their work spreads joy and representation, inspires connection, and brings a bit more light into the world.

Mario Lagassé (he/they) is a Winnipeg-based Métis multi-disciplinary artist working in music, film, and theatre, both onstage and in-studio. They split their time between producing original works and teaching at Teenstop Jeunesse, a St. Vital program providing free music education to youth ages 8–17.

Mario began making music in their teens, playing DIY punk shows before studying audio production at the Mid-Ocean School of Media Arts, where they graduated at the top of their class. Soon after, they joined Sc Mira, touring internationally before signing with Atlantic Records subsidiary vnclm. The band rebranded as Efflo and moved to LA, but Mario eventually left, realizing their true goal was artistic expression over commercial success. They returned to Winnipeg, got married, and shifted their focus to community and creativity.

At Teenstop, Mario discovered a passion for teaching, guiding young musicians while recording their own projects. They currently perform with Kwiat and Paper Machetes, and release music as Mario & Maria (folk), Oso Mario (hip-hop), and MOONish (experimental). Their favorite project, Croakinole & Croakette, is a collaboration with their wife Brittany, where they perform as two frogs in love who resolve life’s problems through song.

A multi-instrumentalist and audio technician, Mario writes, records, mixes, and masters most of their music, crafting immersive sonic worlds uniquely their own while welcoming collaboration whenever possible.

Born in Whitehorse, Yukon, in 1977, then raised between Snow Lake, MB and Vancouver, BC has given Lars Stoltz a truly unique outlook on life and what is important within. As an Indigenous artist from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Art is his passion. In 2012, Lars had the ingenuity to pick up a butterknife and start making intricate wood burnings with it as he lived on Vancouver Island.

The desire to help his family has brought him back to Manitoba, where he continues to create works that inspire others to seek their own inner artist. During his career, Lars has created customized works for many celebrities and famous artists, and he always appreciates those who inspired him from an early age. From  Stan Lee and showcasing a custom Thanos in his museum, Robert Englund signing his Freddy Krueger, and Zakk Wylde enjoying a custom Skullthrone in California, to Ted Raimi, Meatloaf and the Sheepdogs, Lars has always enjoyed giving back to those who inspire his own arts.

Recently, The Burton Cummings Theatre chose to honor him with the front lobby display of a 4x8 Larsworks piece that had been given to Mr. Burton Cummings on his New Year’s Eve Birthday bash in 2022. Lars has been invited to tour North American festivals and events every year and always looks to encourage others to see art as a career. His own non-profit arts foundation has recently taken shape to bring a more modern aspect to the arts in Northern Manitoba.

Born and raised in Churchill, Kyle has returned to his hometown after leaving for college in the big city. Using technology to his advantage, Kyle has found a creative outlet by combining design software learned from his schooling with inspiration of the town he loves, creating custom wood working art pieces. With a background in manufacturing, Kyle produces laser-etched and engraved wood working pieces that represent the area and town he grew up in. Now branching into the arts world, Kyle helps present the town's artists and connecting them with other northern communities to promote local art in northern Manitoba.

Josephine graduated from the academy of acting in the spring class of 2009.  After devoting a few years to focus on her family and sewing career, Josephine had a sudden move to the town of Pinawa.  Once settled in she came to learn that Pinawa is home to the Pinawa Players which is the oldest continuing amateur theatrical group in Manitoba.

Josephine accepted her first roll with the Pinawa Players in 2018 as Insector Goring in Ken Ludwig’s A Games Afoot.  Post covid, Josephine was cast in Love, Loss and What I wore by Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron and Ilene Beckerman. In 2023 Josephine played Lucy in Norm Fosters On a First Name Basis. Recently Josephine was cast in the Ken Ludwig production of A Fox on the Fairway as Muriel Bingham.

When she’s not acting, Josephine is behind the camera as an amateur photographer.  She can also be found in her private sewing studio designing the latest clothing attire. Wherever she is, her dream to act never fades.