The Sanctuary

Ryan Veltmeyer is a social innovator, entrepreneur, community builder, educator and musician. In 2012, Ryan Co-founded Youth Art Connection (YAC), bringing together his passion for youth leadership development and the arts. YAC is a registered charity that supports emerging artists, especially from marginalized backgrounds, to develop arts-based businesses and social impact projects. Through YAC R...

Nick is the publisher of GoNaked Magazine, a men's nudist magazine.   GoNaked Magazine was born out of curiosity on how to produce a digital publication. Eight years later, the publication has grown to over 14,000 readers around the planet. In addition to the magazine, Nick hosts men-only nudist events and vacations. (If he had known this was going to be his career path, he would have skipped...

Sizwe is currently serving the Chief Technology Officer role at Pineapple.   He is passionate about tech education and entrepreneurship on the African continent.   Sizwe holds a Computer Science degree from the University of Cape Town.   Find out more @pineapple_sa

Micah Brown is a former 11-year pro football player. Now owner/operator of BATLX, a football-specific training and athletic development facility whose mission is to make BATLX accessible to every athlete, provide them with professional coaching, mentorship and the tools to perpetuate them to the next level.   Learn more @batlxhfx

Shareefa J is a London based presenter and plus-size model with a background in musical theatre, she is at the forefront of promoting equality and mental health awareness. She uses her platform to discuss many topics including Black Lives Matter, LQBTQIA+ topics, plant-based eco-friendly living, fitness, adult ADHD, women’s health and eating disorders.   Shareefa is an ambassador for the UK b...

Alliekat is a recording artist, born and raised in Dartmouth, NS, Canada.   She began writing lyrics to industry beats at a young age in high school. Shortly after graduation, she was diagnosed with a severe mental illness becoming a voice for those who struggle with the same disorders by being open about her own experiences writing about them and encouraging others to speak up.   In 201...

Megan Reed is a multifaceted artist living in Halifax. She thrives on seeking new creative ventures in music and film, building a career in the digital media industry.  You can find her on either side of the camera — producing digital content for creative clients or modelling with Halifax agency Soli Productions Models.   On stage, she performs under the name Megan St. Rose. Her mus...

A 24 year veteran of the underground Hip-Hop scene and turntablist community,  DJ Killa-Jewel  has rocked decks across North America, Europe and Asia at some of the most prestigious clubs, concerts and festivals to date.   Also a producer herself, she released her first unofficial album, Saudade, in 2014. Later, she was joined by  Nate Husser ,  Wasiu ,  Ras...

Jack of All Trades, Master of Many! The only things Elinor has tried so far in their life that they can't do are hula-hooping, arc-welding, and not being themself. In 48 years they have lived a lot of lives, and are currently incarnated as a Programming & Community Engagement Manager for Halifax Public Libraries, among other things.   Born and raised in Quebec, Elinor moved to Halifa...

Sawyer Hannay is a former professional hockey player and current business owner of Country Liberty and Liberty Village from Rexton, New Brunswick. At 16 he left Rexton for Halifax Nova Scotia to play for the Halifax Mooseheads. From there he was drafted to the NHL by the Vancouver Canucks in 2010, played professionally in Europe, Indiana and university in New Brunswick.   While living in Euro...

Briana Corr Scott is an artist and author based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She tells stories about the beauty of the natural world. She has dedicated herself to painting and drawing from life. Her art and stories are inspired by experiences of drawing objects in nature. Briana works primarily in oil and gouache to make botanical drawings, illustrations, stop motion animations, surface patterns, an...

Huwa Okoyomoh is a spoken word poet, professional voice actor, and podcaster from Nigeria, West Africa. She's been writing and performing poetry for six years. She believes that the African stories deserve a microphone as they have been misconstrued by the western media. What better way to introduce the life and culture of the African community than through a sixty-second rhyme scheme?  Find...

Cindy has been in the Management business for over 20 years. Managing all types of companies and people from Mental Health, to Banking, to Clothing, to Flooring and Fashion! Cindy has been an Entrepreneur since 2011. Currently, she is the Head of Branding & Communications for Labeled Clothing Company, and designer for their Michelle-Rober Fashion line, a company she co-found with her husband i...

James Martin, AKA Made By James, is an award-winning brand identity designer, and co-founder of Baby Giant Design Co. He grew up a creative, developed his skills in illustration, became a teacher, then a tattoo apprentice, and now has been in the graphic design world for 15 years. The knowledge and individual outlook he has allows him to thrive in a competitive design industry. His willingness to...

Chelsea Rose is a 26 year old Nova Scotia native who works as a paramedic full time and is a content creator in her personal time. She started off with blogging and Instagram back in 2016, but now predominantly focuses on Instagram and TikTok. Learn more @roseonethecoasthfx

Saeed El-Darahali is the President and CEO of SimplyCast, a leading provider of self‑service, multi‑channel marketing services empowering small businesses to create, manage and track their own online and offline marketing campaigns.  The driving force behind the company, he has helped it grow into a global success with clients in over 175 countries. With over 15 years of management...

Karen Ballesteros is a competitive powerlifter, engineering student, and small business owner. She is pursuing a Bachelor's in civil engineering at Dalhousie University and is currently on her co-op work terms. Outside of work and school, you can either find her in the gym lifting heavy weights, training for her next powerlifting competition, or working on her business. Just a few weeks ago, Karen...

Marsha Gallant is the marketing manager at Upstreet Craft Brewing and Libra non-alcoholic craft beer, a B-Corp-certified beverage company with a mission to refresh the community. When she's not writing marketing plans and creating content, she's a mom of two little balls of energy named Maisie and Peter, and a craft beer enthusiast. She spends her very limited free time running, camping, and creat...

James Neish is a freelance artist and illustrator in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He advocates for creativity, freedom of expression, individuality, and intersectionality as a Filipino/Canadian & member of the 2SLGBTQIA Community. His apartment will always be full of plants, fish, drawings, and music. Check him out @jineish

Scott is from Dartmouth,  Nova Scotia,  and is currently living in Kyiv, Ukraine. He is an actor,  musician,  teacher,  and writer.  He has an honours BA from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Fine Arts from York University. Scott has acted across Canada,  from Victoria to Whitehouse, Toronto,  and Halifax. In Ukraine, he teaches Acting Shakespeare and E...

Nicole Tufts is a dynamic creative visionary best known for her work as the Marketing & Creative Director for award-winning businesses, such as Vandal Doughnuts Inc. and RIOT Snack Bar. Her brands and marketing possess a trademark rebellious nature and a unique ability to capture and direct the collective’s attention. By leveraging pop culture and attention she has created nationally covered m...

Kolade Kolawole-Boboye is the Co-founder & Brand Management of LDN Records INC. and team Lead at Hope Blooms. Kolade sees himself as a lifelong learner that wants to build relationships with others, through creative entrepreneurial collaborations. A recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Architecture Award for Outstanding Design in Greenhouse, Successfully Pitched to the CBC’s Dragons Den &amp...

Lindsay Stewart grew up and lives in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, N.S. She’s been sending mail art for over 20 years. Dabbling at NSCAD for a few years turned into retail visual merchandising. Proud half owner of short lived retail space Big Pony. Lindsay loves local art, smoking weed and handmade postcards. Learn more @champagnemummy

T. Thomason is a pop artist living between Halifax and Toronto.   T. has impressed fans with his emotional and highly energetic live performances for over a decade at festivals like The Great Escape, FOCUS Wales, Parliament Hill’s Canada Day, POP Montreal, Pride Toronto, Reeperbahn Festival, Canadian Music Week, Milwaukee Summerfest, and more.   The lead up to the release of T.’s self-ti...

MAJE is a Canadian songwriter, performer, and entrepreneur. He gained recognition in 2015 when he entered and won the $10,000 1st place award in a songwriting competition put on by Music Nova Scotia based on the Black activist Viola Desmond. In early 2016 he released a music video for the Cunny Ross collaboration record "Smile" which was much appreciated because it shone light on Black fathers spe...