Description
Recent developments regarding COVID-19 are having a profound impact on the creative community. Performances have been cancelled, public spaces are closed, and emerging artists have limited channels to showcase their talent. The creative community already faces unique challenges, let alone during an international crisis.
Join us on April 28th as we host a panel discussion with local industry leaders and emerging creative entrepreneurs in the music, fashion, art, and film industries. The panel discussion will be moderated by Zainab Muse, CEO & Founder of Wingd, an award-winning creative digital agency. Some topics that will be explored include:
- How creatives can leverage technology
- Finding new avenues for partnerships & collaboration
- Creating opportunities to earn an income
- What supports are available for artists during these times
- The future of the creative industry in Ottawa after the pandemic
About the Panelists
Erin Benjamin
President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association since its creation in 2014, Erin Benjamin has worked in the Canadian music industry for over 25 years – first as a touring and recording artist and then as executive director of both Folk Music Ontario (2001) and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (2008). Founder of the Ottawa Women in the Music Industry group and a passionate, highly-regarded leader, Erin currently serves the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industry’s Ontario Live Music Working Group as co-chair, on the Ontario Creates Music Industry Advisory Committee, the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund Advisory Committee and Algonquin College’s Music Industry Arts Advisory Committee, and is a board member the Ottawa Film Office, the Unison Benevolent Fund, MEGAPHONO and RBC Ottawa Bluesfest.
Stacey Martin Bafi-Yeboa
Stacey is a visionary with a unique design background. Her time as a professional performing artist and dancer “on Broadway” in New York City is what sparked her passion to design.
Looking for luxurious but comfortable clothing to complement her life as a dancer, she found a gap in the market and began to design her own clothes, that’s when Kania was born. Kania has gained national and international presence having presented at New York Fashion Week, Toronto Fashion Week, Project Las Vegas and more.
Allan André
Allan André is a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist of West Indian descent based in Ottawa Canada. André’s work has been featured in exhibits in New York, Orlando, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.
In 2014, 2016 and 2019, André won the Ottawa regional championship for Art Battle Canada’s nationwide speed painting competition. In July 2016 and 2019, André won the Art Battle National championship earning him the title of Canada’s best speed painter.
Heidi Lasi
Heidi Lasi, president and founder of Pelee Entertainment, is an award-winning producer and director. Currently, she is developing Know Her Name, a feature-length documentary; a murder mystery series, Tom Tyler Mysteries; and in conjunction with TSB Productions, she is developing a tv series Drifters.
Her company, Pelee Entertainment, is a film, television and digital media company whose work is garnering accolades across North America. The company produces drama, documentary and branded entertainment for television, theatrical and digital release. Pelee Entertainment is on track to become a strong creative and strategic force in the market and is positioning itself to be a leading global player in entertainment.
Sharif Virani
Creative entrepreneur and digital communications consultant for SMBs – as they pertain to science, technology and public relations in North America. His past experience in science advocacy, corporate relations and youth education, have developed into a capacity for evolving project plans aimed at achieving measurable results in the tri-sectoral implementation of targeted digital campaigns and social media strategies. Sharif is the Managing Partner at Media Launch, VP of Marketing at Atomic Motion, CoFounder of Instasnacks and Chapter Founder of Creative Mornings (Ottawa).
Abdul Muse
Known for his narrative style music, Abdul Muse (known as his artistry name, KAR33M) is an award-winning R&B Fusion artist that aspires to evoke mindfulness and optimism within listeners of his music. In addition to R&B, KAR33M also introduces various Afrobeats elements into his music— reflecting his upbringing for the first half of his life in West Africa. He is also currently working on launching his entrepreneurial venture called Woke Studios; an artistic residency for emerging artists to find support for their debut work.