This week, we've been learning to convert photos from our events and summer arts program into cool graphics, using a variety of tools.
Artistic Activities: Documenting Our Summer of Storytelling and Digital Arts
This week, we’ve been learning to use different image editing tools, and a few that us youth have built as part of our summer arts internship and mentorship program. We captured tonnes of photos this summer, and we’re starting to collect them all, organize them and most of all, experiment by showing them in new ways!
What a day that was. Our Canada Day celebration in July was a huge success, and this photo just brings back all the good feelings. Over 100 people came out to enjoy the live music, presentations, and just hang out and connect. It’s one of the hundreds of photographs we collected this summer, and now we’re learning to use digital tools to go through them, edit them, and tell the full story.
“Every week, we’ve focused on a different theme, and this approach has been key to unlocking new creative possibilities,” said Jamie Bell, a Winnipeg-based interdisciplinary artist who supported developing and delivering this year’s program. “One aspect we’re looking to introduce is how edit photos, by using a diverse toolkit of programs like GIMP, Canva, and PosterMyWall to learn core skills. This includes activities like removing backgrounds, converting photos to line art, and applying different effects. It’s about empowering people to think outside the box and realize that a simple photo can be transformed into a coloring book, a poster, or a template for a painting.”
Art Classes and Creativity Workshops For All Ages
This summer, the program offered a truly broad experience introducing some new approaches to storytelling and oral history. The group had a great time learning about the history of syllabic writing with guest speakers from Northwestern Ontario, Minnesota, Southern Ontario, Manitoba, and Nunavut. The sessions were rich with knowledge, as we learned old stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. We also explored creativity in new ways, challenging the idea that someone might not be able to turn a photo into a painting or a coloring book.
The program also went beyond just hosting events; it was a deep knowledge exchange, as we looked inside other arts programs to learn how they work and deliver their creative initiatives. Several activities took place on the land, a welcome departure from indoor activities. A highlight of the program was going out on the land to take photos, and to pick blueberries while sharing stories.
“The beautiful thing about this program is that it’s truly for everyone, regardless of age or experience,” said youth artist Tony Eetak. “The activities are fun and accessible for all ages, from experienced painters to musicians, and even people who are retired and just starting out. We’ve learned that anyone can learn digital tools and techniques to give their photos a different spin. It’s not about how old you are, but about being creative and using these skills to see the world—and our own community—in a new light.”
A Range of Experiences
For many, the program’s true strength was in the fusion of different art forms. We had photographers, visual artists and painters, and musicians, all getting to “dip their toes in the water” of each other’s disciplines. Our learning began with the basics of composition, taking us out onto the land to find and identify plants many of us had never seen before. From those hands-on experiences of capturing and composing images, we seamlessly shifted into using software to edit them. We covered everything from basic tasks like cropping and color correction to more advanced techniques, like using various tools to convert regular digital photos into unique pieces with filters and advanced effects. This dynamic approach allowed for a rich exchange of ideas and skills across different artistic backgrounds.
And, learning about some of the other projects in the community, youth demonstrated some of their applied AI research supported by the OpenAI researcher access program. It gave teams a unique opportunity to explore advanced technology in a creative context. The demonstrations highlighted how these new tools can be used to generate, modify, and enhance digital art, showcasing the cutting-edge skills they have been developing.
Special Thanks and Acknowledgements
This project, and so many of the other exciting activities we’ve explored this summer, are a part of our 2025 summer arts internship and mentorship program. This program was made possible thanks to the support and funding from the Ontario Arts Council through their Inter and Multi-Arts Projects program. We’ve been so fortunate to have this opportunity, and we’ve truly loved every minute of it.
For a small community like ours, having support like this means everything. We want to express our deepest thanks to Jamie Bell, Eva Suluk, and Tony Eetak from The Arts Incubator Winnipeg Hub; Dr. Olaf Kuhlke and Krish Agrawal from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design Creative Entrepreneurship Program; the OpenAI Researcher Access Program; Global Dignity Canada, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and the Local Services Board of Melgund. Special thanks to Terri Bell and Maurice Betournay, Gerry McArthur and Tanya McArthur from Art Borups Corners. Your belief in our work has helped make our program a huge success, and we are so grateful.
The skills we learned this summer will continue as part of our upcoming Fall and Winter program, where we’ll explore even more storytelling, digital arts, and publishing. We’re excited to build on everything we’ve done and create something new. Stay tuned for more details!
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