Marissa Sean Cruz is a digital multimedia and video performance artist from Kjipuktuk (so-called Halifax). Cruz’s topics of interest are related to labour, power and surveillance as seen through digital platforms and pop culture. Their experimental videos comprise found footage, 3D modelling, sound design and costumed performances to look at value …

Lydia Zimmer, a graduate of The Boston Conservatory (BFA ’11), is a dancer and choreographer in Halifax, NS. Lydia has created several works supported by Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Nova Scotia. These include 'Bonne Nuit,' Live Art Dance (2016); 'Embankment,' Votive Dance (2017, 2021); 'Sonderlings,' Nostos Collectives (2018), 'Sonderling,…

Nancy E. Oakley is a Mi'kmaq/Wampanoag artist who was raised in Mashpee, Massachuttes but now lives and works on the Eskasoni First Nation Reserve in NS She is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian arts in Santa Fe, NM and studied for a year at NSCAD, taking courses in Photography, ceramics, weaving and jewellery making. Through softly cur…

Juanita Peters is known by many people, as many things. She is an actor, journalist, news anchor and playwright, film and theatre director. As a writer and director some of her films include: I Made a Vow Hannah’s Story Africville Can’t stop Now 8:37 Rebirth…which has picked up multiple awards in Canada, New York, London and Paris. Juanita Peters d…

Jah'Mila is a reggae singer from Kingston, Jamaica, now based in Atlantic Canada. With a deep-rooted love for traditional roots reggae, her music blends the vibrant spirit of Jamaican roots music with elements of jazz and modern soul. She has been blessed to share stages with renowned acts like The Wailers, Black Uhuru, and Groundation, which has e…

Garry Williams is an actor, director, singer, writer, musical director, and composer-lyricist. He received a Merritt Award for his performance as Polonius/Gravedigger in Hamlet, and for his original score for KAMP. Previous nominations include Gloucester in King Lear, Ambrose in The Miracle Man, and Isaac in A Tournament of Lies. His Merritt-nomina…

Arte & Movement is a series featuring artists who exhibited work during the Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival. Dedicated to the crafts-womanship of monster making, Elanor’s practice focuses on creating other worldly creature masks and coordinated prosthetics aiming to animate the uncanny in the film industry.…

Moses Diallo is the director and owner of Haliente Creative Studio, an organization in founded in 2017 to increase the awareness of Afro-Latin dance in Nova Scotia, especially in the City of Halifax. He started the Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival (formerly “Salsa on Argyle”) to encourage community engagement through the medium of dance. Moses beli…

African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA) are recipients of the 2023 Creative Nova Scotia award’s Community Impact Award. On this episode, I chat with Julien Matwawana, their first Executive Director about who they are and their impact on Nova Scotia’s music industry. This series of Creative NS award winner interviews would not be possible wit…

Meet Amanda Spriggs a Halifax/Dartmouth based comedian. Amanda and I have been pocket pals as she puts it for a long time and it was nice to get to know more about her views on life, the Halifax comedy scene and relationships.Av Duane Jones

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2023 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. Presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, the Creative Nova Scotia Awards celebrate excellence in artistic achievement. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Establi…

On this episode, I chat with a chef for the first time on the podcast! Michelin-trained Gabrielle LeGuerrier, Head Chef of GourmetGab Events and Pertu gives some insight into the private dining events that she hosts with her husband, European Sommelier, Gabor Bodo.Av Vere Duane Jones

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

On this episode I chat with Ash Young, the Executive Director of the Inverness County Centre for the Arts. They are the recipient of the Creative Community Impact Award for. Ash gives some insight into the centre's beginnings, their program offerings and why they are important to Inverness County and Beyond.…

We talk about early days as an artist and letting go of fear to make the work we were meant to create. We also talk about the role of spirituality in her music and why I should commit to my goal of one day visiting Africa. In addition to the music, Domanique is truly an enterprising artist with a lot on the go; to start, she has landed major sync p…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Martins Madumere is an artist who’s difficult to put in a box. His diverse interests and penchant for developing new skills has given him some valuable perspectives on life and creativity. We discussed his 30 minute a day philosophy when it comes to learning and how it’s like “putting in reps” as an athlete. We also talk about society wanting us to…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…

Singer-songwriter, STORRY talks about the importance of diversifying your skills when you’re an independent artist, moving to London to further her music career and how she brings operatic sauce to songs she’s featured on. We also talk about working with UK artist, Stormzy, the release of her deluxe album, CHIII The Come Up and why she brings aware…

Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. The awards are presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the Portia White Prize. Winners of the Prix Grand Pré, the Estab…