CARFAC Manitoba Board of Directors:
Chair: Morgan Traa
Morgan Traa is an accomplished fine arts professional and active member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 856 since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors from the University of Manitoba and a Radio & Television Diploma from the Academy of Broadcasting in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her extensive experience includes roles such as Props Master for CBC's "Le Monde de Gabrielle Roy" and On-Set Dresser for numerous productions including HBO's "Acting Good". Morgan has also made significant contributions to the artistic community, serving as a board member for the Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC) in Winnipeg and president of the School of Fine Arts Student Association. She has been recognized with several awards, including the Emerging Leader Award from the University of Manitoba, and has participated in various exhibitions and panels, showcasing her dedication to her craft and the arts community.
Instagram: @morganctraa
Secretary: Kara Joseph (she/her)
Kara Joseph (she/her) is a performer, creator and arts manager based in Winnipeg. A wearer of many hats, Kara has worked in several artistic roles including performer, musician, director, costume designer and podcast host. In these diverse roles, Kara wholeheartedly dedicates herself to crafting art that is welcoming and accessible, embracing artists and audiences alike.
Kara's contributions to the arts were recently recognized with the inaugural Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize. Recent credits include End of the Line (TPM), Narnia (Bad Hats Theatre), Rainbow Speaks (Rainbow Stage), RENT (Rainbow Stage), Breaking Up With Me (JHG Creative) and Alice in Wonderland (Bad Hats Theatre).
Board Member at Large: Ellen McGregor (she/her)
Ellen McGregor is a painter and installation artist working on Treaty 1 Territory. Her practise revolves around nostalgia and curiosity. Through works in installation, the artist seeks to incite a sense of fascination in her viewer, allowing them to touch and explore a narrative. Working with found objects and outdated technology, her practise touches on concepts of voyeurism and surveillance. Her work in painting focuses on colour theory. Creating her own oil paint colours by hand, she aims to build on the discipline of traditional oil painting through an expanded colour palette. Ellen also works in printmaking, written word, photography, and with found images.
Instagram: @ellen.cmcgregor
Wbsite: ellenmcgregor.glitch.me
Board Member at Large: Shanelle St. Hilaire (she/they)
Shanelle St. Hilaire is a multi-disciplinary artist who specializes in painting and craft, with a current focus in beadwork, sound and digital programming.
St. Hilaire belongs to the Red River Métis community in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Treaty One Territory) where she was born and is currently practicing. They earned their honours BFA at The School of Art, University of Manitoba in 2023.
She finds inspiration in many areas of study such as plant science, gender identity, and the connection between human and nature, often marrying these concepts with feminist ideals. St. Hilaire’s work is rooted in research and process, prioritizing materials and techniques.
Instagram: @shanellesthilairetheartist
Treasurer: Angela LeBrun
Angela is a Financial Planner with over 20 years of financial services and insurance industry experience. She holds her Chartered Investment Manager® (CIM) designation, Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) designations. She was honored in 2018 with the Leslie W. Dunstall award from the Institute of Advanced Financial Education. She thrives on interaction and developing lasting relationships in all she does.
A lover of the arts, Angela creates art of her own using different mediums. She enjoys creating unique fiber art, designing, and knitting one-of-a-kind pieces. She finds tranquility in kayaking, backcountry camping and hiking across Canada.
Board Member at Large / Social Media: Mell Edwards (she/her)
Mell Edwards is a Trinidadian born, Canadian Graphic Designer and Interdisciplinary Artist who dabbles in all thing’s art/craft. She is currently pursuing an MFA at AU Arts where she specializes in Folklore of the Caribbean through textiles, graphic novel and installation, and on the side, plays in 3d spaces. She has a passion for curation, having curated several exhibits at the School of Art Student Gallery in her undergrad, and has been active in getting art students in Manitoba out into the arts scene. She has been a CARFAC MB board member since January of 2023, and will continue to serve the board as their Social Media Manager and board member at large.
Instagram: @battleax_bunny_art
Website: battleaxbunny.com
Get in touch with CARFAC Manitoba
Email: carfacmb@gmail.com
Instagram: @carfac_mb
CARFAC Manitoba is located within Treaty 1 Territory, on the territories of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.