The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) exists to help arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin thrive. To do so, we rely on a dedicated team of board members, plus steering committee members who oversee the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) arts and culture grants. We also have great employees!
Who are these people? In this series, we’re introducing you to the folks behind the scenes.
Karmelle Spence-Sing, WKRAC Social Media Coordinator / Articulate Circulation & Partnerships
If you follow WKRAC on social media, you’ve seen Karmelle’s work in action. A Nelson resident, Karmelle is our Social Media Coordinator / Articulate Circulation & Partnerships.
WKRAC: When did you join WKRAC, and why did working here appeal to you?
KSS: I started working for the arts council on a casual basis in March 2024. Kallee was welcoming right away and appreciated my theatre experience—a good sign! My role then was to streamline the back end of Articulate magazine’s print production. It wasn’t the most creative work, but I was excited to get my foot in the art door either way.
What are the main things you do in your position?
I’m wearing several hats, but at this moment I have two main roles: I create and share content to our Facebook and Instagram profiles, and I manage the articulatemag.ca website. When new stories come out, I put ’em up there. I also make aesthetic and technical tweaks to the site as needed. I’ve got various other roles as well, but these keep me busy right now.
How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
I moved to Nelson at the end of 2018 from Winnipeg to be closer to my dad, who has lived here since 2006. I hadn’t seen him much over the span of those years. By me coming here, we’ve been able to support each other in ways we couldn’t before. (Hi Dad!)
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
I am indeed involved in arts and culture. I’m a performer. I also write and produce in a variety of mediums. At this moment, you’re most likely to see me on stage in drag and theatre shows. You might also come across my performance workshop series Your Story, Your Stage.
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
Each community has its own unique flavour and flair. The demographics vary from place to place; the vibe in the Slocan Valley is vastly different to that of Sparwood or Kimberley. Nelson is densely packed with talent, so competition is fierce. On the flip side, we in Nelson have groups like the Moonflower Collective and the Greater Groove that welcome emerging and experimental artists of all backgrounds.
I would love to know more about the scene in Valemount. In November 2025, I saw the poster for the Wishbone Theatre play Hallowed Be Thy, which was staged at the Valemount high school theatre. I encourage you to look up Hallowed Be Thy online. For a geographically isolated small town, its vibe is original and contemporary.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Well, career is a big word. It feels elusive. You’d likely need a master’s degree to be a fancy curator or something (*in a posh British accent*) dignified. I’m not an expert in careers, so I’ll speak to what I know!
If you’re okay with building your hustle from scratch (post-secondary education or not), I recommend the following:
- Take note of all your local arts facilities. Suss out art councils, galleries, theatres and places that offer classes and workshops, and attend shows in your discipline.
- Reach out to the people active in the scene and (respectfully) ask how you can participate. Volunteer. Build trust with people before expecting a magical opportunity to appear.
What vision do you see for the future of arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin?
It’s an interesting question. When I imagine the future of our region, arts and culture is one piece of a greater network of infrastructure. Accessibility is what it comes down to for me.
I’d love to see more people advocating for public transit improvements. An event 10 minutes away by car is potentially a 2.5-hour walk (using Nelson to Taghum Hall as a reference).
Reducing costs for art or dance classes is huge. (See Oxygen Art Centre’s volunteer-for-credits model.)
Making space for folks who can’t always show up to meetings or programs is another step to inclusion.
While I strongly believe that artists and creators should be paid well, we (and I can only speak to Nelson) have a lack of cheap or free shows.
I want to see people of all skill and experience levels reading from scrawled notebooks in a café. I want to see weekly doodle sessions at a library or art studio. I want to see pop-up dance classes with sliding-scale entry.
We need funding for this, yes, but we can’t always rely on grants. There are community members with means who would be willing to donate. Maybe it’s time for us (as independent artists and the public) to ask for their support.
More importantly, though, we need organizers with grit and a DIY attitude. We need people who see creativity as integral to existence, and as something to be shared with everyone.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to commend the WKRAC team members for their hard work, especially Kallee Lins (Executive Director), who is an exceptional leader and boss.
The next Your Story, Your Stage performance workshop series takes place in Salmo in April 2026, and is generously supported by CKCA.
My production company is called Super Normal Productions, and you can stay updated on my projects at supernormal.uwu.ai or on my Instagram at @algore__rhythm.
Happy creating!
