“Life has been a roller coaster of moving from one art form to another.”  Cranbrook artist, performer and puppeteer Marcel Dou Roig speaks with Vibrant Basin host Shayna Jones about his artistic trajectory from Barcelona to Chile to New York to Florida (where he met his Canadian wife) and finally to Cranbrook.   Marcel talks about the importance of public art and how his core artistic values can inspire others. “The only responsibility I have as a human being in this world is to be happy. I want to show people what I know—happiness, peace and unity will create a ripple effect.”  This past September, Marcel’s giant elephant puppet, Ed, was the centrepiece of Cranbrook’s Ed Fest, which also featured art installations, music and a circus parade—starring Ed, of course.  You can read more about Marcel and his work on Facebook at bohemianmisfitsproductions.  The opinions and perspectives shared by our podcast guests are their own and do not represent the views of West Kootenay Regional Arts Council or its partners.

Tegan Whitesel brings traditional Métis material arts to her jewellery making practice. Working from her Kimberley home studio, Tegan fuses beading, hide and metal work into her designs, creating wearable art that integrates the old with the new.  Tegan speaks to Vibrant Basin host Shayna Jones about learning and maintaining traditional Métis beading practices in her community. She describes the channel, or blood memory, that she feels between past and present when she is immersed in her work.   Mentorship, motherhood and community are key components of Tegan’s practice. “Motherhood forces you to distill your passions and make them a priority.” She talks about facing her fears of “not doing it the right way,” of not being “Métis enough.” Her advice for facing your fears when starting to learn something new? “Give yourself some grace and have your own back. Be brave.”  You can find Tegan’s work on her website, teganwhitesel.com, as well as on Instagram and Facebook.  The opinions and perspectives shared by our podcast guests are their own and do not represent the views of West Kootenay Regional Arts Council or its partners.

Zaynab Mohammed is an award-winning performance poet based in Nelson. Her current project is a one-woman show called Are You Listening? which melds poetry, movement and storytelling. Zaynab and Vibrant Basin host Shayna Jones discuss the evolution of the piece, which began as a series of 47 interviews with individuals on the art and act of listening.   “I started by listening to myself. It was hard and profound.”  Zaynab talks about her poetry, her heritage and sharing her very personal work with audiences. “I feel our life is poetry and some people use words to describe the little day-to-day things.”  Artists see the world and reflect it back.” Read more about Zaynab and her work on her website, zaynabmohammed.com, and on Instagram, @poemsbyzaynab.  The opinions and perspectives shared by our podcast guests are their own and do not represent the views of West Kootenay Regional Arts Council or its partners.

On this episode of Vibrant Basin, host Shayna Jones talks to singer-songwriter Tenise Marie. Tenise is a multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Argenta, a small, remote community at the north end of Kootenay Lake.   “That physical and mental space allowed me to access creativity. I was inspired to fill the silence.” Tenise describes her deep respect for the land that raised her and the themes of nature that have emerged in her song writing. “Song writing has always been a form of therapy for me. It helps me to understand myself better.”  Tenise speaks about her latest work, “Argenta to Atra,” which focuses on her journey of reconnection with her Assyrian heritage. A Canada Council research grant funded a trip to northern Iraq, where she immersed herself in Assyrian music, culture and language. The songs that Tenise wrote based on those experiences reflect different experiences of home.   For more on Tenise Marie and her work, you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and on her website, tenisemariemusic.com.   The opinions and perspectives shared by our podcast guests are their own and do not represent the views of West Kootenay Regional Arts Council or its partners.

Vibrant Basin host Shayna Jones speaks with Nelson documentary filmmaker and sound designer Carlo Alcos about his upcoming film Outsiderness, a personal view of identity and belonging.  A second-generation Filipino Canadian, exploring his roots has become an important focus for Carlo. He is passionate about telling others’ stories as well. “I love to elevate voices, especially those that are under-represented.”  “I want to diversify the media landscape more.”  Carlo has been recognized internationally for his sound design on the film #MoCrazyStrong, the story of professional skier Jamie MoCrazy’s recovery from a traumatic brain injury and work to raise awareness of TBI.  You can find more about Carlo and his work at carloalcos.com, @carlo_alcos on Instagram and on outsiderness.substack.com.     The opinions and perspectives shared by our podcast guests are their own and do not represent the views of West Kootenay Regional Arts Council or its partners.

“Filmmaking is brutal. It’s a terrible industry.”   Creston-based filmmaker Sarah Kapoor worked at CBC for a decade before co-founding her production company, Pollinator Films. Her first feature film, The Bad Mother, was released in 2016.  Sarah talks to Vibrant Basin host Shayna Jones about the joys and challenges of cocooning in a rural and remote community while maintaining an artistic practice. Consciously slowing down has not only given Sarah more time with her family and her garden but has allowed her to focus in on kind of work she wants to make.  “It’s easy to get attention through things that are scary, things that are negative, that are extreme. I’m interested in something more difficult: things that use the pathways of love and connection.”  You can find out more about Sarah and her work at sarahkapoor.ca and thoughtluck.com. And you can sign up for the WKRAC newsletter at wkartscouncil.com.  The opinions and perspectives shared by our podcast guests are their own and do not represent the views of West Kootenay Regional Arts Council or its partners.

Nelson-based electro-funk duo Dinosaur Fight scored the Vibrant Basin podcast soundtrack! They join host Shayna Jones to talk about their music and the story behind their name. Craig Beauchamp and Rahj Levinson, the members of Dinosaur Fight, have spun off from local bands The Hilties and Wassabi Collective. They use electronic elements like drum machines and rely on talk-back microphones to improvise what they call “hip pop” music. “Improvising keeps it exciting and in the moment,” says Craig. They describe the process of scoring Vibrant Basin as finding a way to meld “Cheers meets Randy Newman and Charlie Brown.” “Our music is nostalgic and childlike,” says Rahj. “It’s about love.” Find Dinosaur Fight on Facebook and Instagram and streaming on Bandcamp. Subscribe to the WKRAC newsletter here: wkartscouncil.com

In this bonus episode of Vibrant Basin, host Shayna Jones speaks with Nelson-area graphic designer and illustrator Keiko Lee-Hem. Supported by the work of painter Abby Wilson, Keiko created the gorgeous Vibrant Basin logo. Keiko is a self-taught designer with a fine arts background. She discusses her holistic approach to design work by drawing parallels between her creative life and her life on the land she shares with her multi-generational family. Keiko explains that work/life balance is baked into her business structure. “I used to respond quickly to what clients wanted, but I found that I can give better value when I slow down and understand the challenge. I can create deeper results, and the process feels more authentic.” Find more about Keiko at keikocreative.com and on Instagram, and at iilo Creative Alliance (iilo.ca), a woman-led collaborative design collective. Subscribe to the WKRAC newsletter at wkartscouncil.com.

Welcome to Vibrant Basin! Shayna Jones introduces the conversations she'll be having with artists and creatives across the Kootenay region of British Columbia.