Behind the Scenes: Q&A WITH KEIKO LEE-HEM, CKCA STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER
The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) exists to help arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin thrive. To do so, we rely on a dedicated team of board members, plus steering committee members who oversee the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) arts and culture grants.
Who are these people? In this series, we’re introducing you to the folks behind the scenes.
Keiko Lee-Hem, CKCA Steering Committee Member
Living in Blewett, Keiko Lee-Hem works as a freelance graphic designer.
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
KLH: In 2011, my extended family was in search of land to build on communally. We were lucky to find a sunny spot in Blewett whose zoning allowed us to build our multi-generational triplex where we all live today. The region’s natural beauty, paired with Nelson’s stellar arts and culture scene, made the decision to relocate a natural one.
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
I work as a freelance graphic designer, which gives me a consistent outlet for digital creation. However, I always come back to my fine arts training, with drawing and printmaking as my primary mediums of expression. I also love the chance to create in community, for instance working on an annual fundraising calendar with the Ink & Moon Collective, doing the Poppy’s Embrace Mural at the Oxygen Centre, and hosting nature-drawing sessions in my garden.
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
Joining the steering committee gave me the chance to contribute to the health of the arts in our region, a sector that brings so much vitality and joy to us all. As a person of colour and an immigrant, I also saw value in bringing some representation of these groups into the committee. It was really interesting to learn more about the funding process, as well as about the diverse and creative artists and the projects that are brewing in every corner of the Columbia Basin. Finally, it was a great chance to build community with the other committee members!
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
It’s really special to live in a region with such a strong and well-recognized creative identity that draws people from near and far. We must continue to advocate for and support the arts in all the ways we can, to ensure that this sector remains vital and continues to serve us all.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Follow your interests and passions and get involved in your arts community! That can look like so many things, from simply attending events, to volunteering at events, to spearheading something yourself. Being out in the world with your passions puts you in touch with people and opportunities that wouldn’t find you otherwise, and this shared energy will help to build the momentum of your own creative journey.
Also, make sure to check out Keiko’s chat with host Shayna Jones in our Vibrant Basin podcast, speaking about her holistic approach to design work and how she prioritizes work/life balance.