Home2024 Creatives in Residence

2024 Creatives in Residence

Introducing the 2024 Creatives in Residence! These eight artists from across the province will launch new works during Ontario Culture Days, taking place from September 20 – October 13, 2024. Through reclamation, research, gathering and interventions, these multidisciplinary artists draw from personal and collective experiences under the banner of Heartbeat.

2024 Cohort

A close-up portrait of a reflective young man, half his face illuminated by soft light, contrasting against a dark background. his eyes gaze subtly to the side.

Aaron Jones

Scugog & Toronto

Aaron Jones is an artist, curator, and entrepreneur whose lens-based work confronts the multifaceted nature of Black identity, nationality, culture, belonging, and personal modus operandi. His interactive art installation, Sky Mirage, features an airborne mirror, offering viewers a space in the sky (to see each other) — an ode to self-reflection and the sky’s endless possibilities. Participants engage in activities exploring aviation and inflation techniques.

With thanks to producing partners Scugog Arts, The Bentway.

A young person wearing round glasses and a subtle smile, standing in front of a blurred blue background. The person has medium-length brown hair tucked behind the ears.

Reilly Knowles

London

Reilly Knowles’ textile creation is a response to a magic circle illustrated in The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses. One of the most influential handbooks of magic, this text was used by Pennsylvania Dutch settlers in Waterloo, Ontario as late as the 1950s. The magic circles in this text serve as guides for rituals to command spirits, including spirits of the earth, water, air and fire.

With thanks to producing partner Museum London.

A man with short, dark hair smiling gently at the camera, wearing a black shirt. he's in a warmly lit room with a blurred painting in the background.

Don Kwan

Westmeath, Whitewater Region

Don Kwan’s work explores place, identity and intergenerational memory-making across time. During Ontario Culture Days, Don will host a celebratory arts event at the Westmeath arena near the Ottawa River. Featured talent includes: Success Dragon Lion Dance Troupe, China Doll, Zaneta Pernicova, and Thunderbird Sisters Collective.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles, wearing a black top, colorful beaded earrings, and a beaded necklace featuring a paw print on the pendant.

Photo by Kyrstiana Bourdage

Lucia Laford (Waawaaskone Kwe)

Sault Ste. Marie

Lucia Laford (Waawaaskone Kwe) will create a multi-site art installation and host a gathering in the city’s downtown core. Incorporating sculpture and Woodland-style painting, this project speaks to the process of reclaiming culture, and the Indigenization of city spaces.

With thanks to producing partner Art Gallery of Algoma.

A man standing in front of a woman against a light background.

Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers

St. Catharines

Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers (retrograde: dance in motion collective), will work with dancers of all abilities to create a community-generated choreography. Two public creation workshops will be followed by a dance showcase.

With thanks to producing partner City of St. Catharines.

A cheerful woman wearing a head scarf smiles at the camera, dressed in a dark sweater and tan overalls, against a light gray background.

Yasmeen Nematt Alla

Toronto

On the final weekend of the Festival, in an open performance, Egyptian-Canadian Yasmeen Nematt Alla will invite the public to come together in a one-time kite creation and flying event which asks: “What does it mean to be a kite that might not take flight?”

With thanks to producing partners East End Arts, Toronto Public Library, 401 Richmond.

A woman with curly hair, smiling, wearing a striped blue blouse and red leaf-shaped earrings, against a plain white background.

Camila Salcedo

Toronto

Camila Salcedo is a Venezuelan-born interdisciplinary artist working primarily in textiles, digital art, and community arts. UPCYCLED features large-scale self-portraits wearing upcycled wearable artworks that reflect Venezuelan pop culture iconography in various Toronto neighbourhood locations including bodegas, parks, and other establishments.

With thanks to producing partners Toronto Public Library, Town of Oakville.

A woman with glasses, dark wavy hair, and a necklace stands in front of colourful artwork

Jennifer Willet

Point Pelee National Park, Windsor and Essex region

Baroque Biology will be an art and science fair at Point Pelee National Park for audiences of all ages. Over the course of one day – through experimentation, storytelling, sculpture, parades and performance – artist Jennifer Willet and special guests will invite park-goers to learn more about the Great Lakes Ecology. Activities will include an artist presentation, hands-on workshop activities, artworks and scientific displays, live music and a parade!

With thanks to producing partners Arts Council Windsor and Region.