Mentorship Spotlight

GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES

Mentorship team Danita Stallard, Scarlett Gunn and Lacey Svaren took part in our 2021/2022 Rural Mentorship Program. Their mentorship was in the discipline of visual arts. Together they explored many different styles of cartoon drawing and expressions. They also worked on different drawing techniques including drawing hands, gestures, and the composition and layout of their work. Another topic they discussed was how to showcase their work and what future careers in animation drawing could look like.

Mentor Danita Stallard and mentees Scarlett Gunn and Lacey Svaren.

“ I’ve been blessed with a few stellar mentors in my time, and it’s such an honour to share my joy of creating with these two eager young artists.”

- Danita, on mentorship

What have been your most positive takeaways from this mentorship session? Any favourite results or moments?

It’s valuable and it can help anyone who’s having a hard time figuring out how to start their future career in the arts.

- Scarlett

I truly appreciate the opportunity to take part in this program! I’ve been blessed with a few stellar mentors in my time, and it’s such an honour to share my joy of creating with these two eager young artists. We’re lucky to have an active art community here in Flin Flon, but our remote location (and oftentimes, the cost of entry into various programs) can be a huge barrier to those who wish to participate. I’m so grateful to Creative Manitoba for making these sessions possible!

- Danita

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Discover More Visual Artists

Yvette Cenerini

Yvette Cenerini (née Lagimodière) is a francophone Métis visual artist from Treaty One Territory. Her work in photocollage examines the intricacies of relationships and emotions through a simple aesthetic. Having obtained both a BEd (2001) and a BFA (2010), knowledge-sharing through art in the forms of teaching and community engagement is an important facet of her practice.

Arlea Ashcroft

Arlea Ashcroft is a French Anishinaabe/Saulteaux multi-disciplinary artist from Treaty 1 Territory, with ancestral connections to Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation). Her creations often explore themes of mixed-blood identity, cultural heritage, mental health, and gender dynamics. Her art serves as a platform for storytelling and activism, particularly advocating for Indigenous communities and addressing social issues.
Ashcroft's style is recognized for its punk rock aesthetic and raw, confrontational elements, often challenging Western artistic norms by portraying subjects with sharp, vibrant, and sometimes dissonant visuals. She integrates personal experiences, community narratives, and historical contexts to create works that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative.
Her work has received local, national, and international attention, not only for its artistic quality but also for its role in fostering dialogue around identity and resilience. Ashcroft's impact highlights the transformative power of art as a medium for truth-telling, continuing to channel her raw, rebellious energy into her visual, multimedia, music, and literary works. She is happiest chasing sunsets and camping fireside under the stars.

Melvin Daligdig

Melvin Daligdig is an emerging Filipino filmmaker and photographer whose work focuses on perseverance, community, and exploring the unknown. While Melvin's main inspirations have been action/adventure films like Kung Fu Hustle (2004) and Upgrade (2018) he has recently enjoyed branching into the comedy and horror genres because of shows like Dollface (2019) and anthology series like V/H/S/94 (2021). His work has been showcased at the International Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, the Fascinasian Film Festival, the International Gimli film festival, and the Bali International Short Film Festival. Looking ahead, Melvin is excited to collaborate with other creatives to blend genres, push creative boundaries and inspire the next generation of creators.

Alex Plante*

Alex Plante is a multi-disciplinary artist based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’ve been painting and illustrating digitally for over 20 years, but I also write/draw comics and paint the occasional mural. I love colours and shapes! You can't beat em!

DeAvian Plummer

Hello! Im DeAvian and im a Northern Artist that practices a variety of art from traditional art to music!. specializing in jewelry making,crochet and paintings.
Making art accessible, one skill at a time

Annie Bergen

I am a muralist and an arts educator/facilitator residing in the Eastman region of Manitoba. I am passionate about making art that inspires and engages the public, and that visually enhances public spaces. I administers group mural projects within communities that speak of my strong commitment to making art accessible as a tool for self-expression and healing. My work through the Artists in the Schools program brings me from school to school throughout Manitoba, working with students throughout the research, design and creation of murals to beautify their schools. Mosaic is another art-form I enjoy and have been incorporating into my artwork and community Projects. I have facilitated several community and school mosaic projects that are both beautiful and functional. Using largely discarded materials, these mixed media mosaics bring communities together in the collaborative creation of tactile art for their schools and communities.

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.

Adira Carter

My name is Adira Carter, I live in Northern Thompson Manitoba, been here all my life. I like to capture the beauty of everyday life, especially the small details that we can often miss, I love doing this through Photography. I have entered many art shows and as I got older have progressed in that aspect, winning some here and there.
I also paint and draw in different styles, I love creating characters, I have painted murals with a friend as I enjoy working with other artists and collaborating, I love new projects that get my creativity going and a good iced coffee to go with it. I'm always up for a challenge when it comes to art.

Danita Stallard

Danita Stallard is the peculiar personality behind FlitterMouse Studio's collection of snack-sized art and quirky comics. As an intrepid adventurer and indiscriminate tree-hugger, Stallard finds her inspiration in the rugged forests of Northern Manitoba. Her creativity is fuelled by copious amounts of Earl Grey Tea, a fascination with folklore, and the occasional infusion of pure silliness.
Her graphic novel series, FLANN!, is a completely hand-drawn adventure inspired by the legend that gave Flin Flon, Manitoba its memorable name. Featuring penniless prospectors, mysterious cryptids, and a decidedly steampunk aesthetic, FLANN! pays tribute to the quirky corner of Manitoba that Stallard calls home.
Find her online at flittermouse.ca

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Anika Binding and Hugh Conacher

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Sarah Flynn and Ellen Peterson

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Creative Manitoba is located on Treaty 1 territory, the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the National homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge and pay respect to the ancestors and treaties made on these lands, by considering all our cultures, traditions, and the histories of colonialism, dispossession, and resistance as we create and learn together. We would also like to acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.