2016 Convergence Artists

Connie Jakab, B.R.E. Connie Jakab is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Mpact Movement, and author of the book, “Culture Rebel, Because the World Has Enough Desperate Housewives”. She is a proud wife to Reuben and mother to her two boys, Ben and Chris. Her passion is to be engaged in social issues regarding resiliency in youth and families in Calgary. She created the Resiliency through Dance cirriculum for schools that has been developing for the past 15 years. She also produces an annual show around social issues to create awareness and to provide follow up resources for those needing assistance. She also gives opportunity for continual discussion and help through her blog, conniejakab.com. Connie desires to continue to expand her resiliency in school programs to assist teachers and parents to know how to create opportunity for youth to be the overcomers they were created to be. She also looks forward to seeing further innovation among the Mpact team to create meaningful shows and opportunities to engage Calgary in issues that affect us all.    mpactdance.com

• Session: Intro to Hip Hop/Dance. Learn how to get down with some funky hip hop grooves and turn it into your own performance!  Connie Jakab will guide you through foundational moves and how to incorporate them into your own dance creation.  No experience necessary. Time to get creative!

Hannah Petkau is an interdisciplinary artist currently based in Calgary, where she completed her BFA with Distinctions at the Alberta College of Art + Design in 2015. Her practice negotiates the interplay between humanity and nature through the use of found material. Rocks, wood, wire and clay are manipulated both by her hands and by previous unknowns, blurring how human and natural interactions are defined. hannahpetkau.ca

• Mixed Media Session: In this workshop artists will learn to combine collage and pencil drawings to create a coherent piece. Each piece will follow an idea revolving around the event’s theme as well as comment on environment! Ie. nature, political, diversity etc.  In this session there is freedom to put your individual style into your creation! If you love the wilderness, sunshine or prairies then this is the workshop for you!

Gordon Toombs, Photography. Gordon holds a photography degree from Sait and a Adobe Photoshop Trainer Certificate . He is currently pursuing his passion for travel photography and has travelled to 42 countries in the past ten years. He is also pursuing his other passions of green screen photography and puppetry. Gordon is in the process of constructing an animatronic puppet.

Charissa Hong, a graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design makes work about location, home and self identity. While Charissa works predominantly in glass, her practice expands to include other mediums such as textiles, wood, metal, print making and paper. She has recently begun working with borosilicate glass as well as teaching glass blowing and flame working. As a complement to her studio practice, Charissa has travelled to Scotland, Australia and America to learn about glass techniques.

• Selfie Dolls Session: In this workshop, we will be creating selfie dolls. Handsewn and customized by you! There will be demos of various hand sewing skills and design sketching. At the end, you can take a polaroid selfie with your doll. You can then take your mini me home as a figure drawing tool!

Ambrose University Theater Group.

2015 CONVERGENCE ARTISTS

Daniel Fortier.  http://www.singplaywrite.com Daniel Fortier is a professional singer/songwriter/guitar player and founding member of the critically acclaimed (Billboard Magazine) band WYATT (www.wyattmusic.com).  Daniel has performed across Canada from Carnegie Hall, NY to opening for Rascal Flatts & Miranda Lambert in Ottawa. The band has won numerous awards, been featured on CMT and can often be heard on Canadian country radio including their top 40 singles ‘Questions’ and ‘Jesse James’ from their most recent album ‘Shoulda Been Here Last Night’. Daniel recently made the move to Airdrie, Alberta where he enjoys performing, teaching, writing and recording.  *Daniel was unable to attend due to an illness*

Ali Froggart A recent graduate of Randolph Academy for Performing Arts, an intense three year triple threat program in Toronto, Ali Froggatt is thrilled to bring her training and love for the arts back to her home town of Airdrie. A company member of Loose Moose Theatre since the age of 16, she become passionate about improvisation and uses it to inspire all of her work. Since returning to Alberta Ali has launched Sour Dog Theatre, producing live improv shows in Airdrie and Calgary. She is currently directing and producing Dog Sees God – Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Bert V. Royal at Loose Moose Theatre May 26-28. She also has her first Calgary Fringe performances this July – producing and starring in Missed Connections – A Craigslist Improvised Comedy.

Veronica Funk.  Born on June 25, 1966 in Winnipeg and raised in Leaf Rapids, northern Manitoba, Veronica was greatly influenced by the Cree culture in which she was immersed. Studying Art & Design at Red Deer College in Alberta, Veronica has apprenticed with potters, stone sculptors and painters in Manitoba and spent a year creatively painting on a farm in Saskatchewan. Veronica’s work has been exhibited across Canada and in the United States and is found in private and corporate collections around the world. She is a published writer, the Arts + Culture Coordinator at the Airdrie Public Library and currently resides in Airdrie. Her work has been exhibited across Canada and in the United States and is found in private and corporate collections around the world. She is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists www.veronicafunk.com

Gillian Mitchell.  After receiving Her Diploma of Fine Arts from Red Deer College in 2009, Gillian transferred to Alberta College of Art + Design where she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with distinction. Being an artist has inspired her to share her knowledge and become an art teacher. Gillian received a Bachelor of Education specializing in Secondary Art in Spring 2014. Currently living in Calgary, Gillian works for the RockyView School District as a substitute teacher. She continues to make ceramic sculptures and drawings that are showcased around the city in a variety of venues.   http://www.gillianmitchellceramics.com

Roel Souassin  When he was younger, Roel always wanted to be on TV so he moved to Los Angeles, CA. After two years of hard work and training in hip hop, jazz, and ballet, he finally booked his first gig with Fatima Robinson. She hired Roel as a backup dancer for Christina Milian’s character in the movie “Be Cool” also starring John Travolta and Uma Thurman. He has danced and trained with world renowned choreographers such as Marty Kudelka, AJ Aokamon Jones, Lil C, Brian Friedman, and Tabitha and Napolean as well as danced with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Nelly, Jessica Simpson, and Prince. Roel has also performed in front of Madonna, Britney Spears, and Missy Elliott after making it all the way to the end of their tour auditions.