NISHA PATEL

Nisha Patel is an award-winning queer poet & artist. She is the City of Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, and the Canadian Individual Slam Champion. She is a recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award. 

Nisha has performed across Canada and the world from Moose Jaw to Seoul. Her poetry speaks to themes of race, feminism, and identity, focusing strongly on her struggles and triumphs as a woman of colour. She strives to build strong relationships, mentorship, and opportunities for artists around her, believing in the possibility and forgiveness of the Edmonton arts scene.

Nisha is an alumnus of the University of Alberta School of Business. Nisha works to further her goal of building a stronger artistic community through living in her truth.

MEDGINE MATHURIN

Haitian-born psalmist and spoken word artist Medgine is a person for whom the love of language and the alchemy of words is second nature. Her multi-lingual upbringing (french, creole, english) not only prompted her to begin experimenting with the potential and magic of language, but naturally compelled her into a deep love of poetry. Beyond poetry, Medgine is a patient advocate, passionate about providing tools and resources to equip discouraged dreamers living with chronic health conditions, so that they could live their most fulfilling lives. Medgine is currently working on her first collection of poetry. Follow her at: @medginespeaks