We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katrina (KC) Medalle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Katrina (KC), thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on is the Nuit Blanche 2023 festival we organized in curation with North Love Arts, a non-profit art organization that I co-founded. Nuit Blanche and The City of Toronto, being the #1 contemporary art festival in Canada, offered us a remarkable platform to showcase our vision.

Our journey began with the intention of curating a multidisciplinary artwork installation for Nuit Blanche’s 2023 festival, which attracts 1 million participants and 192 million impressions online. This was an ambitious undertaking, and the odds were against us, as only 33 installations were selected to participate city wide. It was a challenge and opportunity, and we were driven by our passion and excellence to make it happen.

With the support of each member in the North Love Arts Collective, we embarked on a mission to create a 12-hour music concert that would captivate participants from 7 PM to 7 AM on September 23-24, 2023. We carefully curated over 35 visual and live performing artists from the Greater Toronto Area, thanks to the generous contributions of our community partners at RISE Edutainment and Madewell Productions.

The theme of our concert event was “Breaking Ground: Sounds of Resilience,” which aimed to pay the utmost respect and justice to the BIPOC community. This project was an opportunity to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront, celebrating diversity and authentic richness in the arts.

What made this project so meaningful to me was the realization of my leadership capabilities, the strength of unity within the creative arts, and the profound bond that was formed between authentic voices and diversification. Nuit Blanche had never seen an event of this magnitude dedicated to such an impactful cause before, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to provide a platform for these voices to be heard and celebrated.

In essence, this project epitomized the power of art to bring about positive and transformational change. It was a testament to the impact that a dedicated group of artists, collaborators, and partners can have on a common goal and vision. It remains a source of immense pride and fulfillment for me, demonstrating the potential for art to be an incubator of change and unity within our community.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi Reader! I’m Katrina, the eldest daughter of Filipino refugee parents; born in Toronto Canada and raised in Mississauga. My abstract creativity was sparked by my endeavours to pursue artistry and creative expression. My passions take many art forms, and my work ethic speaks volumes to my expertise in team environments.

At home, my late father, Victor Medalle’s musical and creative influence inspired new ways of dreaming big and taking initiative. My opportunities were bound to programming and extra curricular activities which I indulged in graciously. I’ve applied them to real life circumstances which resulted in a multitude of successful business ventures and professional experience.

I run my own creative consultancy and consistently thrive in an ever changing digital and creative market. It was through community involvement that allowed me to dive into storytelling. Starting out as a Production Assistant and evolving into Unit Production Manager, I am a “Jill-of-all-trades” in production, which has molded me into a multi- hyphenated artist in screenwriting and independent filmmaking.

My production teams are my biggest asset. As a leader in team environments, I strategically align craft with purpose, which results in effective preparation, planning and execution. As a Unit Production Manager, I lead, delegate and manage teams that curate film production, live events, concerts and set designs. Behind the scenes, you can watch me in my role as Writer, First AD and Art Director, with experience working alongside authors and other directors and producers. All of my skills have proved to be transferable as I deep dive into a variety of creative arts and entertainment such as Pilots, TV Series, Feature/Short Films, Fashion Photography, Runway Production, Content Creation, Communications, Operations and Logistics. As a result of developing strong and reliable roots, my artistic identity has become a mosaic of my brand and self, with harmonious connections between the expertise and talents of my team.

I believe in transformative leadership because the absolute core of my artistry is established by my self-worth. By evoking and challenging the self, Special Kace has gained insight on how our collective contributions of work influence higher standards of production, diversity and value. I prioritize inclusion with an emphasis on representation as I value the impact of projects I associate with. Being a familiar creative gives me a boost, and as more visions come to life, I continue to educate and inspire. My power has shifted into new communities that foster authenticity in the way I conduct business. I invest more in people, allowing them to be seen and heard, which instills trust. Trust within our community influences flow. And I believe there’s an abundance for all artists to thrive.

Have you ever had to pivot?

What happened to Special Kace, and where is she now?

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, my career revolved around the fashion industry as a runway fashion show producer, and my dreams were set on producing fashion shows in the fashion capitals of Milan, New York, and Paris. Unfortunately, the pandemic brought the events industry to a complete standstill, forcing me to confront an unexpected crossroad in my career.

The enforced pause offered me a unique opportunity for deep introspection and re-evaluation. I began exploring new avenues by curating content on social media and engaging in various speaking opportunities and workshops as an industry expert. These experiences allowed me to reconnect with my core values and unearth a misalignment that had slowly developed over the years.

It became evident to me that I no longer wanted to focus on the commercialization of bodies and their craft, which had been a predominant aspect of my work in the fashion industry. Instead, I yearned to channel my skills and passion towards creating, curating, and advocating for authentic voices in the arts. This realization marked a turning point in my career journey.

During this reflective period, I also rediscovered my love for writing, which had been a long-dormant passion. This newfound creative outlet allowed me to explore a different art form, expanding the horizons of my creative expression. As I delved into writing, I recognized the opportunity to bring this new art form to the forefront of my creative business and endeavours.

Through my extensive networking, I collaborated with fellow artists on independent projects and short films. This immersive experience explored and experimented with various facets of the arts, while also providing a sense of fulfillment that had been missing from my previous career in the fashion industry.

In hindsight, I am truly grateful to the pandemic for promoting this pivotal shift in my career. It guided me towards a path that resonates with my true values and beliefs, aligning me with a newfound sense of purpose. This transformation has emphasized the importance of adaptability and the willingness to explore uncharted territories, leading to a more authentic and purpose-driven career trajectory.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In the earlier stages of my creative journey, there are invaluable resources that I wish I had known about sooner. These resources are instrumental in supporting artists, enabling them to research, create, and bring their artistic visions to life. Through mentorship and exploration, I had the privilege of discovering a multitude of funding opportunities at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, each of which allowed artists to submit their project applications for review by expert councils.

Some of these resources include renowned institutions such as the Canada Council of the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, both of which offer extensive support to artists in their creative pursuits. In addition, many municipalities have their own dedicated art councils that provide valuable grants and support to local artists.

Furthermore, I was fortunate to learn about incubator programs that nurture emerging talent and provide a platform for artists to refine their craft. Programs like BIPOC TV & Film, Millennial X, and organizations such as CBC and Work in Culture have been instrumental in fostering a dynamic creative ecosystem.

Discovering these resources later in my creative journey was an eye-opening experience, as they played a crucial role in shaping and advancing my artistic endeavors. While these are just a few examples, there is a wealth of support available for artists willing to seek it out. These resources have empowered me, and added significant potential to making an impact on my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.northlovearts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/special.kace/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCMedalle/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kcmedalle/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthLoveArts

Image Credits
The Mahntage Collective, The Sean Signature Collection