Mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire and help individuals discover and embrace their artistic identity, fostering a collective sense of creativity that enriches and unites our regional communities.
Winnipeg River Arts is passionately dedicated to enhancing the North Eastman Region by providing support, empowerment, and connectivity through the arts
Services
WRAC looks forward to serving residents, visitors, artists and arts groups within the Winnipeg River corridor (east of Highway 11 and north of Highway 317). The region is culturally diverse and home to many talented artists and arts organizations that provide opportunities for arts and culture. WRAC’s regional structure will help community arts organizations, schools and recreation services work together to plan larger regional arts initiatives by facilitating the sharing of resources, information and talents. WRAC seeks to contribute to economic grow by promoting the region’s arts and cultural assets to residents and tourists.
Artist Of The Month
Annie Bergen – Focus on Local Artists – Issue #161
April 2026
Annie Bergen
For this month, WRAC highlights visual artist Annie Bergen, who moved from Winnipeg to the Eastman region in 2013. A painter who specializes in large scale artwork – murals, signs, and other projects – she takes on big jobs that might appear daunting to some observers. A couple of local examples can easily be spotted – a stunning mosaic on the west side of Lac du Bonnet Senior School and an eye-catching picnic shelter in Whitemouth campground. She also works
with mosaics and mixed media.
For as long as she can remember, Bergen has been painting, drawing, and exploring media. An energetic, ambitious, and hard-working individual, she feels best when she’s physically active and taking on challenging projects.
She said, “My passion involves engaging students and community in the collaborative process of co-creating meaningful, legacy projects for their schools and public spaces. Therefore, largescale art and mural painting speak to me. I’m not very good at sitting still for long periods.”
Art instruction includes a term studying at Alberta College of Art and Design. Despite this chance to pursue formal training, she felt called to carve out her own artistic practice and decided to drop out. She credits Marcel Dubreuil, her high school art teacher, and Niel Fehr, a Winkler artist and gallery owner, for skills and confidence to explore her creative destiny.
She said, “In the town where I grew up, these men impacted and supported me the most in my artistic path.”
Teaching has always been at the forefront of Bergen’s artistic practice. For years, she has worked in Manitoba Arts Council’s Artists in Schools residencies. Through this program, she visits schools throughout the province and guides students in the co-creation of murals for their buildings. Also, she occasionally guides mosaic workshops and paint night events.
And her talents have been recognized. She said, “In two years, I’ve won Mural of the Year award for large scale community murals.”
Also, WRAC congratulates Bergen on recent professional advancements. First, work with Creative Manitoba helped her develop administration and facilitation skills. Then Boreal Shores Art Tour noticed and hired her to coordinate their unique Eastman arts event.
If you don’t know, BSAT highlights and champions artists in communities from Victoria Beach to Falcon Lake and happens on the weekend of August 15 to 16. Watch for upcoming announcements and details about the tour.
When asked about her inspiration, Bergen cites anthropologist Margaret Mead – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. This quote has always resonated deeply with me and my community-led art process.”
