RiseUp GerryFest 2024
Thursday, August 15, 2024
3:00pm Art Exhibit Opens
3:30 pm Artist Talk
5:45 pm Concert Starts
Tickets are 15$ in advance, 20$ at the door
The RiseUp Mentorship and GerryFest program is a unique and enriching event designed to foster the growth and development of emerging artists from diverse backgrounds. Hosted by the St. Norbert Arts Centre, this program offers a dynamic summer mentorship, culminating in a vibrant community project and an exciting concert and exhibit to showcase the talents of its participants.
This event features an eclectic concert and an exhibit, allowing the community to experience firsthand the creative outputs of the mentorship program. Attendees will have the opportunity to see, hear, and engage with the innovative projects developed over the summer, celebrating the artistic achievements and cultural contributions of the participants.
The mentorship program includes a community engagement component that actively involves and interacts with the St. Norbert community. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between artists and the public, creating a platform for artistic expression and community building. The projects are designed to resonate with the community, fostering a sense of shared experience and mutual appreciation for the arts. More information on this to come
Theme: The Northern Lights
Drawing inspiration from their awe-inspiring beauty and cultural significance, the Northern Lights symbolize a timeless energy and a profound connection to our ancestors and the natural world. This theme encompasses several key ideas:
Reflecting on the movement and dynamic, ever-changing nature of the Northern Lights.
Honouring the spirits of those who came before us.
Sense of wonder: Capturing the awe and mystery that the Northern Lights inspire.
The theme encourages artists to explore these concepts in their work, fostering a deeper connection to the land, the sky, and the traditions that have shaped our understanding of the Northern Lights.
ARTISTS
(full line up to come)
Exhibiting Mentorship Artists:
Daniela Smith Fernandes, Earl Rina, Olivia Cassie, Xiaojun Zhang
Performing Mentorship Artists:
Jovelle, KNG JMZ, Melodiah, Oso Mario, Rut, YBK SHAKUR
Special Guests:
Chuck Copenace, Jace Bodner, Kelly Bado, and The Kaptain
FAQ
Where is GerryFest?
GerryFest is held at the St. Norbert Arts Centre, 100 Rue des Ruines du Monastère, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Is there Parking?
Yes, parking is available upon entrance to the St. Norbert Arts Centre grounds, and it’s free. Accessible parking is available upon request and is closer to the venue.
If you require additional accessibility, please email us in advance at info@snac.mb.ca to make arrangements.
Can I bring my children?
This is an all-ages event; however, please keep in mind that some of the content featured may not be appropriate for families with young children at all times.
Will there be food?
Yes, there will be food available from the restaurant by Fort Catering and the bar will be open within the St. Norbert Arts Centre.
How can I donate to support this event?
Inspired by Gerry’s lifelong commitment to mentoring emerging artists, the Atwell Family and the St. Norbert Arts Centre has established the Gerry Atwell Memorial Mentorship Fund. The Fund will provide support for professional artists to work with talented emerging artists from communities underrepresented in the Artistic sector. The mentorship fund is administered by the St. Norbert Arts Centre with the Atwell family’s direction and in collaboration with community organizations that were near and dear to Gerry’s heart.
To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities available today. This fund is being held in trust by the Winnipeg Foundation through the St. Norbert Arts Centre
ASHLEY BIENIARZ | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Ashley Bieniarz, also known as Kwiat, is a multi-talented and award-winning music industry professional based in Winnipeg. Dedicated to community, songcraft, and representing her cultures, she has worked tirelessly to mitigate barriers for marginalised individuals while creating inspiration and opportunities for others. Notably, in 2023, she was honoured with the inaugural Women in Music Honour Roll award for her outstanding work with Songsmiths, a program that celebrates and supports Canadian innovators and creators. As the first Indigenous woman from Manitoba to receive this commendation, Ashley is making significant strides. Most recently, she acted as the Artistic Director for the RiseUp Mentorship and GerryFest program at St. Norbert Arts Centre and collaborated on an Indigenous Languages and Culture Program grant to revitalise and reclaim Indigenous languages through partnerships with LyricFind and Red Music Rising.
Having completed her role as interim Indigenous Music Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music in 2022, she is well-versed in grants and actively contributes to initiatives promoting gender equity in audio recording and music production. Ashley has a vision of evolving Songsmiths into an artist services and publishing house that incorporates Indigenous knowledge and leadership practices to provide greater benefits and support to the artists she works with. As Kwiat, she will be releasing her debut single in the fall of 2023, co-produced with Hawksley Workman and mixed by George Seara.
Time Capsule
Gerry Fest Mentorship 2023 - Rise Up
On August 12, 2023, SNAC hosted 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. GerryFest 2023 featured the work of the program participants who completed SNAC’s Rise Up Mentorship program. They were invited to exhibit visual art in the Women of Vision Gallery or perform live at the Gerry Atwell Amphitheatre. SNAC partnered with Black History Manitoba for this year's event and received funding support from FACTOR Canada.
Artistic Director: Ashley Bieniarz
Artistic Director: Ashley Bieniarz (Kwiat)
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
-
![]()
Shay Wolf
Singer Songwriter
-
![]()
Xiaojun "Ada" Zhang
Visual Artist using paitning and embroidery
-
![]()
Kozii
Hip-hop/rap artist and song writer
-
![]()
Kwea Kobain
Hip-hop Artist
-
![]()
Tega
R&B and Pop Singer Songwriter
-
![]()
Zen Thompson
Visual Artist and Film Maker
-
![]()
RJ Martinez
Rock Fusion Musician
-
![]()
Emmanual Bonger
Bassist and vocalist of ‘spectrums.’
-
![]()
Allie James
multi-genre singer-songwriter
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)