Stories Across Generations

Stories Across Generations is a collaborative art project that fosters connections and creative exchanges between generations, cultures, and communities. This initiative paired five local artists with five newcomers, alongside five newcomer artists who worked with five local elders from the Black and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Through this project, the artists created a multifaceted collation of artworks based on the unique stories and perspectives of their partners.

The culmination of this cross-generational and cross-cultural collaboration were presented in two special showcases at the deCoste Culture Hub on September 27, from 1-4 pm and October 8 from 5-8pm at Glasgow Square Theatre. These events celebrated the power of storytelling and artistic expression, highlighting the rich diversity and creativity of the participating artists while fostering mutual understanding and respect across communities.

This project is funded by the Artists in Communities grant through Arts NS.

This project is presented in partnership with the Pictou County Partnership.

Check out the Pictou County Partnership podcast episode about this project! Click on the icon below to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Local Artists

Carolyn Bedford paired with Analu Caldas from Brasil

Medium: Drawing and painting

Carolyn has exhibited in various group shows in Nova Scotia and had many solo shows of paintings which have seen reviews and now, exhibits her sculpture work. She does her own bronze work and has a small foundry to produce the pieces and also fires her own clay work.
She also does some photography, having run her own wet lab, and writes stories and poetry often in collaboration of her exhibit titles. Carolyn was apprenticed in bronze and believes strongly in hands on throughout the process of any medium. For over 50 years, Carolyn has also worked in the advancement of the arts, working on the provincial board, operating a Co-op gallery, organizing a symposium, giving presentations, teaching and keeping her interest in local art events.

Marissa Rosaleen paired with the Nair family from India

Medium: Photography

Marissa is a seasoned photographer with over a decade of experience shooting with DSLR cameras. Her passion for photography shines through in her work, especially in capturing the vibrant essence of our coastal community. Marissa’s portfolio includes photography for local makers, artists, creators, businesses, and organisations. With extensive experience covering diverse events and festivals, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a keen eye for detail to her teaching.

Thekla Altman paired with Oksana Sichkar from Ukraine

Medium: Writing

Thekla Altmann (she/they) is a poet, writer, editor, and translator from Communist East Germany. They studied music and literature in Germany and the UK and hold a Master of Arts degree in Literary Translation from the University of Wales, Swansea. Thekla ran a translation and editing business for many years. After moving to Canada with her wife and kid, Thekla worked in other sectors, and she claims this is good for her writing. She volunteers for local immigrant and LGBTQ+ organizations. These days, she can be found behind a library desk.

Myla Borden paired with Marie Josée Nirere and Eraste Hategekiman from Rwanda

Medium: Quilter

In the early 1990’s Myla Borden turned to quiltmaking when she was unable to find employment after earning her teaching degree. In 2007 Borden co-founded the Vale Quilters Association- the only Black quilters society in Nova Scotia. In 2007 she also began collaborating with Dartmouth NS artist David Woods using his drawings as designs for her quilts. Her works have been exhibited at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Textile Festival and the Textile Museum of Canada.

Shirley Joyce paired with Ana Alvarez from Cuba

Medium: Rug hooker

Shirley Joyce was born and raised in Pictou County.

After living all over Canada and several international places, she has learned that crafts bring people together. Shirley began working in textiles at the age of nine when her grandmother taught her how to knit and crochet. In adulthood, she began teaching others and moved on to alterations and sewing. After an accident left her unable to sew for a long time, and having learned all she could in knitting and crochet, she turned to rug hooking.

In June 2022 she became a certified rug hooking instructor. Although she may teach others, she herself will never stop learning all there is to learn about rug hooking. She teaches Intro to Rug Hooking at All About Ewe in Westville as well as online for the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia. She is currently the Vice President of the Teachers Branch for the Guild.

Newcomer Artists

Marcos Silveira from Brasil paired with John Carter

Medium: Illustration

From a very young age, I’ve felt a deep curiosity and quiet fascination with the visual arts. Although my professional path led me elsewhere — into advertising and copywriting, with a long career in agencies and over 15 years at a major media group — my connection to art has always been present, a constant thread running through my life. My education in the arts was not formal but driven by passion and persistence. Through books, exhibitions, and, most importantly, years of drawing, I learned about the great masters of painting, the movements that shaped art history, and the works that transcended time. Drawing became a quiet, steady practice—a form of refuge.
After moving to Canada, I came even closer to the visual world by studying digital animation, completing a three-year college program. That experience expanded both my technical knowledge and artistic sensitivity. Today, I find myself returning to drawing and painting in a more intuitive and free way — not as a professional pursuit, but with the full passion of someone who, even without a diploma on the wall, holds art as a core part of their identity.

Elysee Mpenzi Hategekimana from Kenya paired with Verna Elms

Medium: Painting and drawing

Elysée Mpenzi is a creative originally born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Kenya, now living in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. With a background in business communications and IT, Elysée combines technical knowledge with a lifelong passion for the arts. His creative interests include painting, drawing, photography, music, and making handmade cards often using his art as a form of storytelling and connection.
For Elysée, art is both a personal outlet and a way to celebrate culture, community, and emotion. Whether through vibrant brushstrokes or melodic guitar playing, his work is deeply influenced by his journey across continents, the people he meets along the way, and the constant inspiration and support he receives from his wife, Sarah Bosibori Mpenzi.
Outside of his artistic practice, Elysée enjoys sports, traveling, camping, spending time with family, and reading. He has a deep love for the outdoors, often finding peace and inspiration in nature, where he reflects on and appreciates God’s creation. His curiosity and creativity shine through everything he does, and he’s passionate about using art to uplift, inspire, and bring people together.

Svitlana Sheremetieva from Ukraine paired with Donald Bowden

Medium: Textiles

I have always liked to do something with my own hands. As a child, I made ikeabans from wildflowers, and at school I started sewing clothes. While I was getting my sewing education, I started getting my first clients, for whom I sewed light women’s outerwear to order. Over time, this grew into a profession. I became a teacher of technology and labor training. During my maternity leave, I discovered a new talent – conducting needlework workshops. We sewed clothes, made accessories, jewelry, decorations and home decor. Now this topic is very close to me. Since I realized that sometimes even a small detail can emphasize a person’s strengths and hide flaws. Just like in the interior of a house, decorative elements create a unique look. Since Ukraine and Canada have different cultures, houses, etc., I am very interested in visiting and studying the local Canadian culture and getting inspired by the interiors, meeting people and exploring. Then I can implement these ideas in new products. I also like working in the garden, taking care of flower beds and growing vegetables. In nature, you can learn how to combine colors. That’s why I like the direction of garden design. This way you can understand that I am constantly doing something, if not with fabric, then with plants. It is an incredible pleasure to see the result of my work.

Mariia Zernova from Ukraine paired with Sandy Andersen

Medium: Illustration and painting

My name is Mariia Zernova, and I have been involved in art for over 10 years. My creative journey began at a young age when I first encountered the world of painting. Since then, art has become an inseparable part of my life.

My work spans several directions, including painting, photography, sculpture, and landscape. Over the years, I have studied both traditional and contemporary techniques, which has allowed me to develop my own style and approach to creativity. I am deeply interested in the interaction of light, shadow, and form, which is reflected in my works.

Painting for me is not just about applying paint to a canvas, but a way to express my thoughts, feelings, and perception of the world. I experiment with various techniques — from watercolor and pastels to oil and acrylics. Each piece is a unique story that I tell the viewer through colors and shapes.

Landscape is a separate theme in my work. I love working outdoors, breathing in the atmosphere of nature, and capturing its changes. My landscapes are characterized by attention to detail and depth of space, in which I try to convey not only the outward appearance of nature but also its mood.

I believe that art is a constant process of search and self-improvement. Every day, I strive to learn something new, develop my skills and approaches, so that my works become more expressive and profound.

I hope that my paintings, photographs, and sculptures will inspire viewers to reflect, allowing them to see the world through the eyes of an artist and feel its multifaceted nature.

Sarah Santos from Brasil paired with Beverly Bowden

Medium: Photography, painting and video

Sarah Santos is a creative professional with over 20 years of experience in communications, media, and the arts. Originally from Brazil, she has worked with renowned organizations such as the Modern Art Museum of Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, and O Globo—one of the country’s most prestigious media groups. Now based in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Sarah is passionate about storytelling and the transformative power of the arts to connect people across cultures. Through her work supporting newcomers’ community integration, she is continually inspired by the richness of diverse lived experiences, including those of Indigenous peoples, African Nova Scotians, and communities from around the world who now call this land home.