City Building Speaker Series: The Role of Arts and Culture

Description

Come and be part of the conversation as a panel discusses the role of arts and culture in shaping a vibrant downtown.

Additional Information

Free to attend, open to anyone. The RPL Film Theatre doors open at 6:30 pm.

The conversation will feature:

• Robyn Barclay, Coordinator of Cultural Development from the City of Regina
• Marion Donnelly, from the Creative City Centre
• Oz Weaver, Executive Director of the Globe Theatre
• John Hampton, CEO/Executive Director of the MacKenzie Art Gallery
• Geanna Dunbar, Artist

Bios:

Robyn Barclay is a cultural strategist and community builder with a passion for place making and creative collaboration. As Coordinator of Cultural Development for the City of Regina, she leads an award-winning team advancing the city’s Cultural Plan and supporting the local arts ecosystem. Robyn holds a BBA from the University of Regina, is pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University and is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists. Outside of her role with the City, Robyn is a committed volunteer, contributing her time and energy to organizations that champion creativity and community care.

Marian Donnelly has worked in the creative industries since 1976. She is the founder and CEO of the Creative City Centre, which started as a home to artist studios, a visual art gallery, and a small performance venue. During the pandemic, the CCC transitioned from performance venue to production studio, until they moved out of their former location on Hamilton Street in 2023. Now in the process of renovating a new facility, the Creative City Centre will re-open on Cornwall Street in early 2026. The new space will have an art gallery, performance space, artist-in residence studio, recording studio, production space, and will also be home to numerous arts organizations, including Saskatchewan Arts Alliance, Sâkêwêwak Artists Collective, Common Weal Community Arts and Articulate Printmaking Collective. Marian has mentored hundreds of young artists and entrepreneurs over the years and is passionate about the arts as a vehicle for reconciliation, community building and shared learning between cultures.

Oz Weaver currently serves as Executive Director of the Globe Theatre in Regina, co-leading the company alongside Artistic Director Jennifer Brewin. The Globe Theatre is at an exciting juncture, celebrating its 60th anniversary this fall while unveiling a $48 million renovation of its 68,000-square-foot building. Their journey into major leadership roles began with co-founding The Dietrich Group, an avant-garde interdisciplinary arts collective. Between 2019 and 2024, Oz had been working with Just For Laughs (JFL) in various administration and leadership roles, culminating in their position as Executive Producer for Just for Laughs Toronto Festival. Under Oz’s leadership, the festival grew to be among the largest comedy festivals in North America. Through their career journey, Oz has proven to be a dynamic leader and innovator, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the arts and entertainment industry. 

John G. Hampton (they/them) is the Executive Director and CEO of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. They are a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation but grew up in—and has spent most of their life in—Regina (Oskana kâ-asatêki). John has previously held positions as Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Artistic Director of Trinity Square Video in Toronto, and Curator at Neutral Ground Artist Run Centre. They hold a Masters of Visual Studies – Curatorial Studies from the University of Toronto, and a BA in Visual Arts from the University of Regina. In addition to their role at the MacKenzie, John holds an adjunct professorship at the University of Regina, is co-chair of the Canadian Arts Summit Steering Committee, is a member of the Canada Gallery Committee for the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, and serves on various other advisory and volunteer positions both locally and nationally.

Geanna Dunbar is a Cree-Métis spoken word poet, visual artist, body modification artist, and entrepreneur from Regina with a special interest in sustainable art and interdisciplinary community collaboration. Geanna works in mixed media collage, sculpture, acrylic, street art, chalkboard, window painting, and large-scale murals. She is now YWCA 2024 Women of Distinction Award Winner for Indigenous Resurgence in Action. Her work with The Path of Reconciliation, the longest mural in Saskatchewan – went internationally featured in the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington and published in Hyperallergic Magazine based out of Brooklyn, NY.