VANL-CARFAC
Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador

Luanne Dominix is a visual artist based in Bay Roberts, NL. Her practice explores the intersection of material culture, natural resources, and identity. Her work features symbols and imagery that ask the viewer to explore the inherent beauty and complexity of her province while reflecting on the changing dynamics faced by contemporary Newfoundlanders. Luanne’s work has been exhibited in juried exhibitions across Canada and the United States including with the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour; the Society of Watercolor Artists; and the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Luanne holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (Architecture) from Dalhousie University and a Master of Business Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Nakita Baines is a Senior Manager in the KPMG St. John’s tax practice. Originally from Shoal Cove, NL, Nakita has been living and working in St. John’s since 2008. With over a decade of experience working with a diverse group of clients to understand the financial implications of their business transactions and operations, she has a depth of experience across an array of areas. This includes experience providing tax compliance, planning, and other advisory services to clients from a wide range of sectors including oil and gas, real estate, power and utilities, private equity, and manufacturing and processing. She has completed her in – Depth Tax Program in addition to obtaining her Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Previous board experience includes as a Financial Officer for Team Broken Earth and as the Treasurer for Confederation Building Daycare Centre Co-operative Society Limited. In her personal life Nakita enjoys travelling, spending time with her partner and their three year old dog, Atlas, while always being on the lookout for the next good book to enjoy. 

Bruno Vinhas’s journey as a curator, arts administrator, and cultural connector has always been shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and care. With a background in Cultural Tourism and Cultural  Economy,  and Textile Craft & Apparel Design, he has found purpose in using creative work to bridge communities, spark conversations, and shift narratives. He brings to his practice a combination of resilience, curiosity, and care; qualities shaped by his experiences as a queer, Latin immigrant living and working in Atlantic Canada. He learned to turn difference into strength, using his positions to elevate others and to question who has access to cultural spaces.

Bruno started in the arts through theatre and dance, he directed and designed sets, costumes and light for over 30 plays in his home city in Brazil. After traveling and living in Ireland and New Zealand, he settled in Canada in 2015 to continue his textiles studies. From 2017 to 2024, Bruno served in progressive roles at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, including as Gallery Director (2017-2022) and later Director of Events and Outreach (2022-2024). He has installed and curated over 110 exhibitions, at the Craft Council of NL, The Rooms, Eastern Edge Gallery, Lawrence O’Brian Arts Centre, Shaw Centre and the Quidi Vidi Artisan Village to name a few. One of his projects to develop emerging craft voices was the creation a partnership between the Craft Council Gallery and the College of the North Atlantic Textile’s program, in 2018, to exhibit their graduation show in a professional gallery space with mentorship components to the students and was a consultant on the development of the Emerging Curators Program for the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, 2025. He also implemented large-scale programming such as the Craft Conversation series during the pandemic, and worked on national initiatives such as the Northern Lights, in Ottawa, Made in Canada: Sustainable Fibre Arts Conference 2024, hosted in Gros Morne, the Baffin Chamber Trade Show (Iqaluit, Nunavut) and Labrador Expo (Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL). He developed new programs for accessibility during his time at the Craft Council of NL aiming to break down the barriers for the “ white cube”, such as the Whisper Program, a dedicated program for blind and visually impaired patrons to enjoy the gallery exhibitions; dedicated sensory aware time for patrons in the spectrum; SENSORIUS—the first local exhibition focusing on work created for the disabled-identified community with their support along the curatorial process. 

At the heart of his work is the belief that craft can be a tool for empowerment, healing, and cultural continuity, especially in underrepresented or rural communities. Much of his practice has centered around creating accessible, collaborative spaces for artists to grow, share knowledge, and celebrate identity. His practice focuses on the promotion and development of the craft community and makes room for diverse cultural narratives.

His curatorial work expanded internationally with Collect Art Fair’s exhibitions Here + Now: Collected Works from Canada’s Atlantic Coast and Connecting Culture + Landscape Through Water, The Power of Objects held at Somerset House, London in 2024/2025/2026, respectively, showcasing Atlantic Canadian craft on a global stage through Craft Alliance Atlantic Association. In 2024, he was appointed Manager of the Export Program at Craft Alliance, where he continues to support craft artists in accessing international markets. He has also contributed to the craft sector development through Canada Council peer assessments and authored articles in Studio Magazine (Canada) and Unsustainable Magazine (Australia). 

Recognition such as the 2023 Mary MacDonald Award from VANL/CARFAC affirms his impact in championing craft practices and cultural equity. Receiving the Mary MacDonald Award was a powerful affirmation, but what matters most to him is the network of artists, cultural workers, and communities that he has supported and learned from.” Their trust and collaboration are the real rewards, and they are what fuel my continued commitment to work in the cultural craft sector”.

Abby Strowbridge is an Artist currently attending the Visual Arts program at Grenfell in Corner Brook. Her practice is very experimental, but some recurring themes are societal pressures, the passing of time, and how bodies are perceived by oneself. She is interested in all art mediums, but has a special place in her heart for ceramics, because of the endless possibilities and experimentation within the medium. She loves community engagement and working with other artists! She has assisted with the SaltBox Contemporary Arts Festival, and hosted Student Artist Talks at the Grenfell Art Gallery. Her work has been shown in the Tina Dolter Gallery, Eastern Edge Gallery, and the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre.