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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
