Fiction

Roy Mexted

• I am a musician, songwriter, videographer, podcaster, and arts advocate based in Churchill, Manitoba. As the Northern Champions Coordinator with imagiNorthern, I work to support and expand the Northern Champions Network, helping artists, makers, and creative communities thrive. My role involves mentoring regional champions, supporting artist development, and helping grow the network's impact across the North.

  I’m also an executive member of the Churchill Creative Collective, Churchill’s Winterruption Festival, Churchill Arts Council and Churchill Aurora Winterfest, where I help organize events, workshops, and performances. My passion lies in creating, performing, and lifting others up through the arts. I’ve been playing music for over 20 years, and my albums, Smiling Like a Sundog and an upcoming 2025 release, are inspired by the landscapes and stories of the North. I founded Churchill Entertainment, where I produce video content, live-stream events, and host the Churchill Chats Podcast to share local voices and perspectives.

   

  Whether I’m performing live, documenting an event, or leading a workshop, I bring boundless energy and enthusiasm for creativity. My goal is to break down barriers to artistic expression and help others find new ways to share their stories.

Lars Stoltz

• 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.

Roan Regan