Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell is a Winnipeg-based interdisciplinary artist and strategist working at the intersection of media arts, community engagement, and public affairs. Among others, his work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the OpenAI Researcher Access Program, with a focus on participatory media, strategic communications, and arts-based collaboration across northern and urban contexts.

Pollen Saddlebags and Bumblebee Gold A pollen-packed bumblebee burrows into a dandelion’s golden crown in Melgund Township. You can see the bright yellow pollen sac clinging to its leg—like a tiny nature-made saddlebag.

A pollen-packed bumblebee burrows into a dandelion’s golden crown in Melgund Township. You can see the bright yellow pollen sac clinging to its leg—like a tiny nature-made saddlebag.

Pollen Saddlebags and Bumblebee Gold

Jamie Bell May 26, 2025

Something special happens in the early northern spring when the first dandelions burst open.

Why Are Some of Our Apple Trees Purple? A surprising pop of purple! This young apple seedling—grown from a 30-year-old Gala tree—is showing off deep reddish-purple leaves. A beautiful reminder that every apple seed holds a unique genetic story, and nature doesn’t repeat itself.

A surprising pop of purple! This young apple seedling—grown from a 30-year-old Gala tree—is showing off deep reddish-purple leaves. A beautiful reminder that every apple seed holds a unique genetic story, and nature doesn’t repeat itself.

Why Are Some of Our Apple Trees Purple?

Jamie Bell May 19, 2025

We’ve been noticing something curious in our small, but growing apple orchard: some of our apple trees...

Horsetails: Ancient Survivors with a Knack for Scrubbing A solitary stalk of horsetail, a living fossil reaching towards the light. This ancient plant, a survivor from the age of dinosaurs, showcases its unique segmented stem, a testament to millions of years of evolution.

A solitary stalk of horsetail, a living fossil reaching towards the light. This ancient plant, a survivor from the age of dinosaurs, showcases its unique segmented stem, a testament to millions of years of evolution.

Horsetails: Ancient Survivors with a Knack for Scrubbing

Jamie Bell May 19, 2025

Unraveling the Unique Biology of Equisetum Ever spot a segmented green stalk reaching up from the earth? You...

Saskatoon Berry Blossoms Signal Spring Across Northern Forests

These early white blossoms belong to the Saskatoon bush (Amelanchier alnifolia), one of the boreal forest’s most generous and resilient plants. For generations, Saskatoon berries have nourished communities, supported pollinators, and thrived in northern climates. This year, we're proud to be adding Saskatoon bushes to our food production project—deepening our connection to the land, strengthening local food systems, and honouring traditional knowledge through action.

Saskatoon Berry Blossoms Signal Spring Across Northern Forests

Jamie Bell May 17, 2025

Across northwestern Ontario and Manitoba forests this May, delicate white blossoms are beginning to emerge on a...

Sustainable Apple Care: Tips for Young Trees & Environmental Stress

Year two of our arts incubator land lab's food security program is in full swing! We've grown dozens of beautiful apple pippins from seed since February, excited to expand our sustainable agriculture project. But moving them outdoors brought an unexpected challenge: environmental shock! Seeing those dried, stressed leaves was a learning moment. We're now focused on helping them recover through careful "hardening off" – gradually reintroducing them to the outdoor environment. This means starting in a sheltered spot, slowly increasing their exposure to sun and wind, and ensuring consistent, proper watering.

Sustainable Apple Care: Tips for Young Trees & Environmental Stress

Jamie Bell May 16, 2025

Expanding our food security program, our land lab moved dozens of indoor-grown apple pippins outdoors. We faced...

Melgund Local Service Board Approves Deck and Event Stage Funding, Discusses Financial Strategies An overhead view of the Melgund Township recreation complex, which supports the communities of Dyment and Borups Corners and area in Northwestern Ontario.

An overhead view of the Melgund Township recreation complex, which supports the communities of Dyment and Borups Corners and area in Northwestern Ontario.

Melgund Local Service Board Approves Deck and Event Stage Funding, Discusses Financial Strategies

Jamie Bell May 16, 2025

The Local Services Board of Melgund convened its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, at...

Sustaining the Vision: Funding, Collaboration, and the Future of Arts-Based Recreation The Future is Creative: A vibrant future for our communities requires a sustained commitment to the arts. Explore innovative funding models and collaborative approaches that will secure the vision of arts-based community rejuvenation for generations to come.

The Future is Creative: A vibrant future for our communities requires a sustained commitment to the arts. Explore innovative funding models and collaborative approaches that will secure the vision of arts-based community rejuvenation for generations to come.

Sustaining the Vision: Funding, Collaboration, and the Future of Arts-Based Recreation

Jamie Bell March 28, 2025

Short-term projects can spark change, but lasting impact requires careful planning and sustained resources. Discover the strategies...

Community Spirit Thrives Community members share a meal and conversation at the monthly gathering in Dyment on March 9, 2025.

Community Spirit Thrives

Jamie Bell March 12, 2025

Residents of Dyment and Borups Corners came together this week for their regular monthly gathering, held at...

Building Bridges: Arts & Recreation Partnerships for Community Health Beyond Sports: Think recreation is just about games? Think again. This article explores the surprising power of arts-based programs within recreation, revealing how they can address community challenges and foster youth leadership.

Beyond Sports: Think recreation is just about games? Think again. This article explores the surprising power of arts-based programs within recreation, revealing how they can address community challenges and foster youth leadership.

Building Bridges: Arts & Recreation Partnerships for Community Health

Jamie Bell March 5, 2025

Beyond Sports: Think recreation is just about games? Think again. This article explores the surprising power of...

Open Mic vs. Jam Session: Know the Difference Explore the world of live music! This article clarifies the difference between open mics and jam sessions, offering insights for musicians looking to perform or collaborate. Plus, tips for organizers.