For October’s Member of the Month, we interviewed Shay Paul, an artist and the founder of the Indigenous Resurgence Project. Shay has won the 2026 John Hobday Award in Arts Management (Mentorship) from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Full name: Shay Paul

How long have you been practicing art?

I have been a lifelong self-taught artist. I have always had an affinity for creative expression.

What got you originally interested in the art you do?

Art has always been an intimate form of expression and another language in which to communicate. I’ve always used creativity as a way to respond to the world, difficult feelings, or to share joy with others.

What is something you have learned about yourself through your art?

The most important lesson has been learning just how much of yourself you place into your artwork. When an artist creates, the viewer isn’t just seeing a piece of media, but a visual translation of a story, a message, or a thought brought to life. The process of sharing art is often vulnerable and intimate, and at times takes more courage than you might expect.

What is your favourite joke/quote?

A quote that’s been very important to me lately was said by Joanne Finlay at an arts gathering this summer. “The arts are everywhere because people are everywhere.”

If you could teach everyone one art medium/method, what would it be and why?

In my work, there’s a throughline phrase that I tend to use: “research is storytelling, and storytelling is art.” That is to say, every piece of art speaks its own story. I’d encourage people to think about what story their art tells, to meditate on why they are drawn to the work they create. Perhaps it’s something philosophical and critiques society, or it’s simply because one finds joy and inspiration in a specific subject. Both can be true. Neither can be true. That is the story of art.

Why are you a member of the Kamloops Arts Council?

I am a member because of the work the KAC does within the community. As a community connector, I use the KAC to further connect me with artists, programs, and initiatives locally. My favourite part of being a member is seeing new artists exhibit at the KAC galleries for the first time. I enjoy the thrill, excitement, and pride not only from the artist showcasing their work, but from how the community comes together to celebrate them. That moment an artist is celebrated at their opening reception is a feeling of elation that is so specific to that space, and I always look forward to being able to witness that.

Are you on social media or have a website you would like us to include/link?

@setetkwe.shay is my public Instagram (where I talk about research and gallery curation); @ambush.art is my artistic profile where I post art (sometimes).

Indigenous Resurgence Project Website: Indigenous Arts Collective | Resurgence Project

Is there anything else you would like us to add or to feature?
Probably the John Hobday Award.