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SeaWalls CHURCHILL is powered by a small, but mighty team passionate about the issues facing the subarctic.
2017 TEAM
KAL BARTESKI is a Canadian artist with a love for Churchill, Manitoba. Passionate about polar bears, sea ice and environmental health, she is the coordinator and curator of SeaWalls CHURCHILL. The creator of the POLAR BEAR FUND, she likes her coffee black and her projects meaningful.
JASON BOTKIN is an internationally acclaimed artist and the Canadian coordinator for PangeaSeed Foundation. Instrumental in the planning of SeaWalls CHURCHILL, he is an inspiring leader. His impressive body of work includes co-creation of the EN MASSE project. His spirit animal is a Sasquatch (preferably eating a taco).
Every member of the SeaWalls CHURCHILL team is important to the story.
REID VALMESTAD is a visionary filmmaker who saw and shared the magic of SeaWalls CHURCHILL in video format like a boss. He is talented, kind and adventurous. He likes dogs and sass and South Africa - not necessarily in that order.
LANA BAKUN is the mastermind behind feeding, organizing, and entertaining the SeaWalls Churchill teams. She can plan a party or community BBQ with her eyes closed. She is, without a doubt, the best snack-logistics superhero and food-truck driver in the subarctic. Her heart is large and generous and probably gold.
DENNIS COMPAYRE is the head of POLAR BEAR SECURITY and ALL OTHER THINGS. He is the horsepower behind SeaWalls CHURCHILL. He fixes, hauls, builds, protects and rescues whatever needs attention. Born and raised in Churchill he is a veteran polar bear guide and the original Polar Bear Whisperer.
JASON SYVIXAY is the press-release, PR, and promotion magician responsible for letting the world know about the feats and accomplishments of SeaWalls CHURCHILL. He is excellent at reading people. He is also a burgerflippin' community engagement specialist and stellar city planner.
SEBASTIAN BOTKIN is the youngest team member in the history of SeaWalls CHURCHILL. A smart guy and a hardworker, he is responsible for food truck shenanigans and mobile entertainment among other more serious tasks like beluga boat tours, learning to drive and keeping Lana in good spirits.
ROB KNAGGS is an incredible cellist from Brisbane, Australia with a passion for whales, Churchill and community. He is a great cook - making delicious homemade vegetarian meals, running Churchill-based logistics and making sure there are enough beverages for everyone on the festival team.
POLAR BEARS are the lead roles in logistics, security, and planning. Staying safe in polar bear country means keeping people AND polar bears safe. Safe polar bears make Kal Barteski very happy. HUGE THANK YOU to our fierce and dedicated BEAR GUARDS for their time and attention.
TRE PACKARD is the founder and executive director of PangeaSeed and SeaWalls: Artists for Oceans. A passionate environmental defender he is also a talented photographer. (@abovebelowphoto)
AKIRA BIONDO is the director of operations for PangeaSeed and SeaWalls: Artists for Oceans. A passionate environmental defender she is a speadsheet star and terrific at managing people
SIMON ORMEROD (Cracked Ink) is one half of the Subarctic's best operations team. Internationally recognized artist and long-time PangeaSeed member, he is responsible for making the paint and the equipment run smoothly.
KAI'ILI KAULUKUKUI is the other half of the Subarctic's best operations team. Internationally recognized artist and long-time PangeaSeed member, he is responsible for making the paint and the equipment run smoothly.
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