receive from our peers, teachers, family and friends. It is through these experiences that we learn
to define ourselves; we recognize how we are perceived by the people in our lives and we slowly
realize what traits or attributes set us apart from the rest. It can be a difficult discovery for some,
especially when you start to realize how different you are from what you perceive as the ‘ideal’.
The ideal is something we all struggle with, especially when you’re young without a lot of
experiences to draw from or the resources to examine what a defined ideal should look like.
Self discovery is a big part of what makes community arts programming so valuable, the
ability to discover through artistic experience the beauty and truth within you, that has the power
to inspire pride, to reveal, and to heal. It is with this spirit that the Carberry Plains Arts Council
is pleased to announce its newest workshop facilitator Stephanie Ann Strugar. Strugar is a
choreographer, dance and fitness educator, model, actress, comedian, and certified body painter
who has worked closely with community organizations to provide innovative performance
education for; at-risk youth, indigenous and immigrant youth, differently-abled youth and adults,
and the elderly.
In 2008 Strugar founded Difinity Dance Studios based in Winnipeg and began
collaborating with schools and daycares in the area to provide programming that challenges
youth to take action in their lives, empowering them with the language of movement to
communicate and be heard across diverse cultural and social-economical boarders. By 2010
Stephanie became a public advocate dedicated to breaking performer stereotypes, mentoring and
working with plus sized performers. By 2013 she was chosen by RAW.org as a featured artist
for her work with Difini Dolls Dance Crew, and Difini Minis a group of youth dancers that
promote “anti bullying” in their performance work, performances by Difini Minis are used to
fundraise and sponsor at-risk youth for free multi-cultural dance classes.
The project Stephanie Ann Strugar will be providing to children and youth here in the
community will be a week-long mini dance camp dedicated to showing participants what is
possible; through her mentorship skills Strugar’s goal is to provide innovative and integrated
performance education that improves participants confidence and inspires the experience of self
discovery, because like “the bright colors found in nature, there are vibrant creatures that reside
in us”
This program is generously supported by Healthy Together Now and the Carberry and
Area Community Foundation. Special thanks to Sherill-Lee Hyra of Prairie Mountain for all her
support. We look forward to hosting Stephanie Ann Strugar at the end of July.
Registration for this program will be available at mass registration at Carberry Plains
Community Centre March 21 st and 22 nd . For details about this program feel free to contact
Carberry Plains Arts Council at crbyarts@wcgwave, or call the office which is open Tuesdays
and Thursdays 9am-5pm at 204-834- 6617.