Film Reflections with Shelley Niro

ONLINE Co-Host with Winnipeg Film Group
Thursday, July 23rd | 5pm – 7pm | Zoom Session
$10.00 – $30.00

*Note:  This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive an email with the link to participate.

CLICK HERE to sign up

Join us with acclaimed Mohawk multi-media artist and award winning filmmaker, Shelley Niro, as she discusses her six week production process for her second film, The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw. This workshop will address her transition in making experimental short films up to her experience with creating narrative feature films. Shelley will touch on what artists and films influence her career, what themes she explores in her art and how important spirituality and humour continue to shape her future projects.

Niro is a member of the Six Nations Reserve, Bay of Quinte Mohawk, Turtle Clan.

Shelley Niro is a multi-media artist.  Her work involves photography, painting, beadwork and film.  Niro is conscious the impact post-colonial mediums have had on Indigenous people.  Like many artists from different Native communities, she works relentlessly presenting people in realistic and explorative portrayals.  Photo series such as MOHAWKS IN BEEHIVES, THIS LAND IS MIME LAND and M: STORIES OF WOMEN are a few of the genre of artwork.  Films include:  HONEY MOCCASIN, IT STARTS WITH A WHISPER, THE SHIRT, KISSED BY LIGHTNING and ROBERT’S PAINTINGS.  Recently she finished her film THE INCREDIBLE 25th YEAR OF MITZI BEARCLAW.

Shelley graduated from the Ontario College of Art, Honours and received her Master of Fine Art from the University of Western Ontario. Niro was the inaugural recipient of the Aboriginal Arts Award presented through the Ontario Arts Council in 2012. In 2017 Niro received the Governor General’s Award For The Arts from the Canada Council, The Scotiabank Photography Award and also received the Hnatyshyn Foundation REVEAL Award. 

Niro recently received an honorary doctorate from the Ontario College of Arts and Design University.  She also was the 2019 Laureate of the Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Photography.

Above image: Still from Niro’s film “The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw”

COVID-19 Gallery update

Your new way of viewing amazing art experience
UPDATED June 23, 2020

Dear Friends and Patrons of Urban Shaman Gallery,

A few changes will be happening here, as we learn all together how you can safely view artwork in our space. Our upcoming show Weaving Cultural Identities will be opened to the public June 19- Aug 1, 2020 (details to above and at urbanshaman.org). First, we are still deciding if a reception and in person artist talk will happen in any of our programming for the future…updates will be posted on our website, emails and social media. Second we are trying to put in place online viewing, which takes learning, time and money. Check back to see how we are doing.

Slowly our gallery is putting into place precautions for the new way you will be able to visit our gallery as per to the Manitoba provincial COVID-19 guidelines.

Here is what you can expect at Urban Shaman…

·    Gallery hours will be T-F 12-5pm (may change on demand from public). Our building, 290 McDermot Ave, located in the lovely Exchange District, and will be locked at 4pm at the ground entrance. Signage is posted on door window with our phone number for drop in visits after 4pm. Call 204-942-2674 for appointments or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

·    No more than 10 people in the entire space, (including staff in office. Staff will manage the flow) and additional patrons will be required to wait in hallway or outside, in queue of the 2 metre / 6 feet apart rule.

·    All patrons and staff in the gallery are required to keep 2 m/ 6 ft apart in space.

·    Disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and latex gloves will be provided at entrance.  All staff and patrons MUST sanitize their hands upon entering our space.

·    Masks are not provided, but we suggest you bring yours to use.

·    Bathrooms are available for public use, but we ask you can let our staff know if you have used (very sorry on this, but this is the way it goes, and we don’t like it as much as you. We hope you understand). Soap provided and towel dispenser in bathroom. Disinfectant and hand sanitizer is located at front door as mentioned.

·    Resource library is only to be used and managed by staff at this time. Please talk to staff on premises if you require anything from our library before touching any material.

·    Patrons who visit may be required to wait if appointments run late, as we do not want to disrupt “the art experience”. We hope that patrons will not exceed visits more than 45 mins, but this is not set in stone…we hope all will be patient as we will go on an appointment by appointment situation to discuss how we can make your visit pleasant.

·    No money will be exchanged, but a tap machine is available for bookshop purchases and memberships.


Please check our website and facebook page for any updates.

Email us at info at urbanshaman dot org if you have any questions about the gallery.

As we have said before, Urban is learning how we can bring amazing contemporary Aboriginal/Indigenous artwork to you safely. Please do your part and keep your physical distance, help each other with patience, and take care of yourself (a lil laughter can help too).

Thank you from Urban Shaman Gallery