Francesca Carella Arfinengo
Francesca Carella Arfinengo (she/they) is an artist who works in textiles, text, photography and socially engaged modalities. Her work is rooted in her lived experience as a first-generation immigrant. Themes in her work include late-capitalism discontent, grief, agency, interdependence of species and circular timeline. She is a member of the Miradorx Collective (previously called Mujer Artista group) and a resident artist at the Misericordia Health Centre. Francesca grew up in Arequipa, Peru and identifies as a queer Latine settler of mixed ancestry. She is grateful to live and work in Treaty 1 territory.
Gabriela Garcia
Gabriela Garcia (she/her) is a Mexican emerging dance artist based on Treaty 1 territory. She is a graduate of the School of Contemporary Dancers and holds a B.A in dance through the Theatre and Film department of the University of Winnipeg.
Gabriela has worked with choreographers like, Gaile Petursson-Hiley, Rossana Filomarino, Sarah Matry, Paula Blair and Kyra Green, and has had the opportunity to collaborate with The Mariachi Ghost music band and participate in the 2022 edition of the Intercultural Indigenous Choreographic Lab and Banff Centre. Gabriela is the recipient of the "Talentos" scholarship provided by the Mexican government institution EDUCAFIN and the first BIPOC emerging artist scholarship provided by Healthy Dancer Canada.
Gabriela has worked with choreographers like, Gaile Petursson-Hiley, Rossana Filomarino, Sarah Matry, Paula Blair and Kyra Green, and has had the opportunity to collaborate with The Mariachi Ghost music band and participate in the 2022 edition of the Intercultural Indigenous Choreographic Lab and Banff Centre. Gabriela is the recipient of the "Talentos" scholarship provided by the Mexican government institution EDUCAFIN and the first BIPOC emerging artist scholarship provided by Healthy Dancer Canada.
Daniela Smith-Fernandez
Daniela Smith-Fernandez (she/her) is a Chilean-Canadian artist who is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She began sewing at age five and has been fairly obsessed with textiles ever since, eventually leading to studying textile surface design, art history of fabric, and finally tailoring. Her creative practice is deeply rooted in a love and respect for handicraft traditions around the world which she explored through travel and a BA
in anthropology. She aims to make objects that the viewer wants to touch and interact with, most often in their everyday lives. As well as textiles she works with leather, printmaking, knitting, beadwork, sculpture, and whatever else is at hand. She teaches French language art classes for children at the Franco-Manitoban cultural center and her work is also inspired by their unique imaginative perspectives. When not making art she is working as a museum educator, reading copiously, and dreaming of getting back to Chile.
in anthropology. She aims to make objects that the viewer wants to touch and interact with, most often in their everyday lives. As well as textiles she works with leather, printmaking, knitting, beadwork, sculpture, and whatever else is at hand. She teaches French language art classes for children at the Franco-Manitoban cultural center and her work is also inspired by their unique imaginative perspectives. When not making art she is working as a museum educator, reading copiously, and dreaming of getting back to Chile.
Lucy Pavez
Lucy Pavez (she/they) is a multi-platform artist based in Winnipeg. Originally born in Mexico City. Lucy studied Fine Arts at Langara College in Vancouver, and Fashion Design at Murdoch McKay in Winnipeg. Lucy’s artistic development has continued to grow as she continues to challenge herself and the public including a successful 2015 exhibit at Artbeat Studio in Winnipeg which included pottery, sculpture, fashion and hand carving, The Edge Gallery and Cre8tery Gallery. Lucy has also acted on stage and screen. Credits include “Doña Flor and Her Two Husbands” (Wise Hall Theatre, Vancouver 2001); “Spics ‘n Spans” (Fire Hall Theatre, Vancouver, 2002) and a TV series “Exes & Ohs” in 2007 and film work, in Cecilia Aranedas, “Intersection” 2021 and Susan Fogels, “Winner” 2022.
Michele Melendez Gallegos
Michele Melendez Gallegos (she/her) is a Peruvian artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, working in illustration, graphic design and photography. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours from the University of Manitoba in 2024, and with a diploma in Graphic Communications from Red River College in 2020. She has participated in group exhibitions in Peru and Canada and is a member of Miradorx Art Collective, previously known as Mujer Artista.
Selene Gaytán
Selene Gaytán (she/her) is a Mexican designer and artist based in Winnipeg. She earned a Bachelor degree in Textile Design from CENTRO Diseño, Cine y Televisión.
She has won various grants and scholarships, including two FONCA grants. She is interested in sharing joyfulness and exploring solace through her pieces which also tend to feature aspects of Mexican culture and daily life. She is currently participating in a one-on-one illustration mentorship sponsored by MAWA.
She has won various grants and scholarships, including two FONCA grants. She is interested in sharing joyfulness and exploring solace through her pieces which also tend to feature aspects of Mexican culture and daily life. She is currently participating in a one-on-one illustration mentorship sponsored by MAWA.
Francys Catherine Ruiz Moreno
Francys Catherine Ruiz Moreno (she/her) is an emerging artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, driven by a passion for creativity and community engagement. Born and raised in Colombia, Francys found solace and inspiration in art amidst financial struggles and emotional hardships.In her diverse artistic practice, Francys explores various mediums including acrylics, watercolor, oil, woodcut, photography, digital art, and pottery. Her work reflects her journey of self-discovery and celebrates the resilience and strength of womanhood, while also honoring the spiritual connection with nature and the earth.
Valerie Rejas Helguero
Valerie Rejas Helguero. (she/her) Bolivia. 1986.
Sound creator. Her work revolves around the exploration of sound from her migrant journey and the experiences that have crossed her. Her curiosity for listening led her to migrate from the Andes Mountains in La Paz, Bolivia to Mexico (2010), where she has walked the paths of sound experimentation, radio and film, exploring topics such as ecology, politics, spirituality and multi-sensoriality. She is currently based in Treaty 1, Winnipeg.
Sound creator. Her work revolves around the exploration of sound from her migrant journey and the experiences that have crossed her. Her curiosity for listening led her to migrate from the Andes Mountains in La Paz, Bolivia to Mexico (2010), where she has walked the paths of sound experimentation, radio and film, exploring topics such as ecology, politics, spirituality and multi-sensoriality. She is currently based in Treaty 1, Winnipeg.
Joanna Velasquez
Multi-hyphenated wardrobe stylist, and brand consultant with a strong background in the retail industry and visual communications. Joanna Velasquez grew up in Winnipeg, a first-generation Canadian of Salvadoran immigrant parents. She graduated from the Fashion Management Program at George Brown College. Her main projects include Surplus Market in Hudson’s Bay Polo Park, Photography of Ikebana workshop Nancy Nguyen artist, Wardrobe and consultant for Winnipeg Searbears Merchandise Campaign and Uphouse commercial campaigns. Joanna is deeply committed to her community and their future, especially as she endeavours to create space for women and Latinx individuals in fashion, sport and art.