GerryFest 2023           

On August 12, 2023, SNAC hosts the Annual GerryFest in honour of Gerry Atwell, a musician, writer, community builder, and mentor to many, who was involved at SNAC in various roles for over 25 years. Gerry Atwell passed away suddenly in November, 2019. GerryFest and the SNAC Rise Up Mentorship program were created to continue Gerry's legacy and life long committment to mentoring emerging artists of diverse backgrounds. GerryFest is a fundraiser event for the Gerry Atwell Memorial Mentorship Fund. 

 The SNAC Rise Up Mentorship Program collaborates with local organizations who refer emerging artists from communities underrepresented in artistic sectors to this skill-building training program. GerryFest features the work of the program participants who completed SNAC’s Rise Up Mentorship program who are invited to exibit visual art at an Art Opening Event in the Women of Vision Gallery or perform on stage live at the the Gerry Atwell Amphitheatre.  SNAC partnered with Black History Manitoba for this year's event and received funding support from FACTOR Canada. 

ASHLEY BIENIARZ | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Artistic Statement:

Nurturing Creativity and Empowering Journeys

In the dynamic landscape of the art world, where artistic landscapes evolve and transform, there remains solid building blocks that can centre and focus an artist’s journey. Our mission with this mentorship program has been to provide emerging artists with the foundational tools and skills essential for every facet of their careers. We recognize the need for enduring resources - a reliable toolkit to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and confidently navigate the crossroads of their artistic journeys.

This mentorship has aimed to empower mentees with insights that transcend fleeting trends, focusing instead on cultivating a deep-rooted understanding in themselves and their artistic process. Our goal has been to foster adaptability, resilience, unwavering self-belief and encourage artistic exploration.

Meet the Mentors

Stephen Carroll of Manitoba Film & Music

Cathleen Enns of Manitoba Arts Council

Claire Boning of Misfit Music Management

Chole Chafe of Synonym Arts Consultation

Ami Cheon

JayWood

Begonia

Dan St. Yves

Naomi Gerrard

Lisa Whitehouse & More

Alex Sannie of Manitoba Music


Mentees 2023

  • Shay Wolf

    Shay Wolf is a prairie-born classically trained pianist turned singer/songwriter. Her music works its way into the cracks of your heart and will leave you feeling like you’ve just daydreamed for hours watching the clouds go by. Shay Wolf has been compared to Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell and she released her debut EP, ‘Stay’, in March of 2023 which is available on all streaming platforms.

  • RJ Martinez

    RJ is a Winnipeg based musician who seeks to create a mellow rock fusion experience. Taking inspiration from artists like Carter Vail, Vansire and Tim Atlas, RJ wants to allow the listener to have a mellow experience, allowing them to feel and flow with the mood of the song.

  • Emmanuel Bongar

    Emmanuel Bongar is the bassist and vocalist of ‘spectrums.’ They agreed upon the name ‘spectrums.’ because every member of the band is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and they wear it proudly. Combining catchy melodies with a diverse sound; ‘spectrums.’ mix New Wave, Post-Punk, Emo, Alternative Rock, etc. The group is planning on releasing their Self-Titled Debut EP in the coming months.

  • Kozii

    Kozii is a Hip-Hop/Rap artist & songwriter. He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and is currently based in Canada. The young artist first started rapping as a hobby with his friends in grade 7, and this soon turned into a career when he discovered his passion for music. He would write lyrics of his own and perform them in church and social events. The support he received from those around him encouraged him to nurture his gift over time. Kozii raps in multiple styles and flows, truly showing his talent – and combines a high level of lyricism with soothing melodies to make inspiring records.

  • Allie James

    Allie James is a multi-genre singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba with a deep connection to the arts community through music, film and acting. Allie draws inspiration from Canadian artists such as Zeina, Ami Cheon, and Emotional Oranges. Allie brings a high energy performance that captivates audiences evoking the nostalgic beats of 90s RnB infused with Funk, Soul, Blues, and jazz. In 2023, Allie recently released her debut single “One More Night” featuring local rapper Young Gio. As Allie continues with her music journey she hopes to keep the nostalgic vibes alive and release her EP “I don't wanna lose you like he lost me” in 2024.

  • Zen Thompson

    Zen Thompson is a surrealist contemporary painter who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With ancestry from Trinidad Zen’s art utilises Caribbean superstitions along with bold colours and imagery. She adventures using other mediums such as film using similar metaphorical imagery. The film was used in the Winnipeg art gallery’s short-film festival in 2022. Her distinctive personal style uses humorous, bright, images contrasting with scary depictions of life.

  • Kwea Kobain

    Kwado is a hip-hop musician, a Canadian musician, arrived in 2016, seeking education and chasing his dreams. His breakthrough came with "Thoughts" on SoundCloud in 2017, followed by the EP "conflicted". Joining the 1207 collective in 2018, he released "Kwado blues," expressing struggles in diverse environments. Kwado's versatility shone through tracks like "Personal" and "Magic" in 2019, focusing on romance. His upcoming single "Too Long" features a friend. Now known as Kwae Kobain, Kwado is making waves in local art communities, refining his production skills for a sophomore EP and album

  • Xiaojun “Ada” Zhang

    Xiaojun “Ada” Zhang is a painter and embroidery artist from China, currently living in the community of St. Norbert, Manitoba. As an experienced home textile designer, she has honed her skills of capturing the beauty, colour, and lines of nature. She is also keen on embroidery and food making, and loves a vibrant life. When Ada was young, she loved painting and often immersed herself in it. As she shifts her focus to painting, she is developing her drawing and skills with acrylic paint. With unbridled passion, Ada uses lines and colour blocking to evoke the natural beauty of the world through her own perspective. Inspired by artists like Van Gogh and Monet, she hopes to express herself through the power of painting.

  • Tega

    Tega, a genre bending singer-songwriter, beautifully combines R&B elements with her distinctive take on pop music. With her roots in Lagos and upbringing in Abuja, Tega's journey began with enchanting performances in her school choir. Over time, she nurtured a deep love for songwriting, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres such as Pop Punk, Indie, and R&B. Tega's songs delve into themes of love, spirituality, and personal growth, inviting listeners on an introspective voyage of self-discovery. Watch out for this remarkable artist as she continues to weave her sonic magic and touch the hearts and souls of listeners worldwide.


Special Thanks

GerryFest Committee: Judy Williams-Chair, Louise May, Cathy Atwell, James Atwell, Doug Wilson, Naomi Gerrard, Jo Dixon, Sharon McIntyre

SNAC Staff: Sharon McIntyre, Cutris Williamson, Phoebe Man, Zen Thompson

Summer Student Team: Shaelyn Hofer, Emma Williamson, Naomi Walters, River Allen, Shayla Rudd, Jace Raden, Jordan, Quinn Nicholls, Sophie Milard, Alexis Taylor

All our amazing volunteers!

Stage and backline: Audio Works Production Services Ltd. with a special thanks to Jimi Kinsman

GerryFest Poster & T-shirt Artwork - Ada Zhang

Just TV - Broadway Neighbourhood Centre

Corrine & Shawn Brandson - Fort Catering Rick

Thiessen - Health & Wellness Expos

Andy Ling - Canada One Travel

Sal Infantino- X-Cues & Lounge

Printing - Centiple Printing

Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network

Creative Manitoba

A look back:

GerryFest 2022 Mentorship

Love Letters to Community

Gerry Fest Mentorship program is about how each mentee feels life and wants to share it with us.   The program provides a secure, intimate place to nourish and inform artistic growth.  We'd like to thank you all for attending Gerry Fest and for supporting the Gerry Atwell Endowment fund.  We'd like to thank every mentee and mentor as they've placed their trust in the process of creation in the valleys of vulnerability.  We'd like to thank the Committee and SNAC for supporting this vision.  Gerry believed in the mutli-faceted world of art. It never has one voice or one face.  It's to be explored and it's magic honoured.  Gerry meant so much to so many people. This mentorship is a way to keep his spirit present and actions within reach to observe & follow. 


Artistic Director: Elliott Walsh (Nestor Wynrush)

Mentors: Ogo Okumabua, Sonya Ballantayne, Jen Doerksen, Jaywood, Ashley (Kwiat), Luther Mallory

Mentees:

Cosmic River (Eric Lavoie) He/Him — Musician, Mary Clare "Clary" Ines — Graphic Design/ Visual Artist, Daisy Caneda — Musician, Kara Rose — Musician, Anuna Oman Ojwato — Visual Artist & Fashion, Destiny Wilby She/Her — Musician, Ryan Cameron — Novelist , Isaac Kelly Kirugi — Photography, Jocelyn Chorney She/He — Poet/ Multi discipline

Guest Facilitators: Naomi Gerrard, Louise May, Sharon Mctyre, Judy Williams, Pheobe Man

Community Partners: African Super Creative Arts Centre, Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, Black History Manitoba, CEDA, Manitoba Music, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg - Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, Tech Voc High Schoo, The Holistic Ongoing Opportunities Development-Facilitation and Management Services Inc.  or The HOODFAMS Inc., Aurora Farm, Manitoba Art Council, Factor, Government of Canada

GerryFest 2021 & SNAC Mentorship Project – Raising New Voices

On August 13, 14 & 15, 2021 SNAC hosted the second Annual GerryFest in honour of our long time supporter and mentor, Gerry Atwell who passed away suddenly in November, 2019.

This year’s GerryFest featured the works of nine mentees who completed the Raising New Voices mentorship program that SNAC launched in February 2021.  The mentorship program was supported with a grant from the Manitoba Government, Ethnocultural Community Support Program.  Emerging artists were referred to this project by community organizations with a specific goal to invite artists to this training program from communities underrepresented in arts sectors. 

Raising New Voices - Each One, Teach One - Action/Liberation/Healing Through Community/Relationship Building 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR : Brendan Kinley

MENTORS : Ashley Au, Sierra Noble, Franklin Fernando

MENTEE’S : Kelvin Bett – Visual Artist, Jace Bodner – Musician & Songwriter, Emmanuel Bongar – Filmmaking, Jibu Kamabu - Visual Artist, Albert Kandie - Writer, Ethan Lyric – Musician & Songwriter, Pajack Obeing – Visual Artist, Tomiwa Omolayo - Musician & Producer, Allen Odongoh – Visual Artist

GUEST FACILITATORS : Phoebe Man, Louise May, Yisa Akinbolaji, Judy Williams, Naomi Gerrard

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS : Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, The Holistic Ongoing Opportunities Development Facilitation and Management Services Inc. (HoodFams), Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba – Stronger Together, Kenya Association, Black History Manitoba, The Community Education Development Association (CEDA)