Ron Harpelle – Chair

Ron Harpelle is an award-winning producer and director who teaches History at Lakehead University. Together with his partner Kelly Saxberg, he has worked in a variety of capacities on dozens of films and videos. He has a special interest in historical documentaries and in making Social Science research come alive in the form of films, videos. and as new media.

Ron Harpelle has a PhD in History and a background in development economics. He has produced several books and numerous articles on various historical subjects. His specialization is in the West Indian diaspora to Central America, but he has published in other areas.

Ron’s most recent film, Tireur d’elite/Sniper, finished production in November 2022.

Alyssa Kusik is a multi-disciplinary artist from Thunder Bay, Ontario. A graduate of two certificate programs, Introduction to Pre-Animation and Fine Arts, from Algonquin College.

Alyssa is a visual artist, videographer, coordinator, editor, animator and graphic artist. 

For the past four years, she has worked for Shebafilms, a film production company focusing on documentaries on history, globalization, social justice, the environment and mental health issues. She often collaborates with local filmmakers, galleries, bands and fellow artists to make animations, documentary films and music videos. 

She is an active community member participating in various art events and volunteering with charitable organizations, such as Definitely Superior Arts Gallery and Friends of the Finnish Labour Temple. She has been a coordinator of the Vox Popular Media Arts Festival since 2020 and has volunteered and been a board member with the organization over the last ten years.

Alyssa Kusik – Treasurer

Kevin Brothers – Secretary

Kevin Brothers is a practicing lawyer in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He has been working in film as an actor, production assistant, and assistant director for over 12 years. Kevin joined the board of directors in the Spring of 2022.

Martin King is an Ojibway multi-media artist from Thunder Bay, Ontario with family roots in Gull Bay First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, though he went to high school in Flemington, New Jersey. Returning to Thunder Bay in 2010 to study film, Martin graduated from the Broadcasting and Film program at Confederation College and dove head first into the arts and media community in a variety of ways, including: directing, acting, and animation. 

Martin has had his art presented in multiple exhibits with Definitely Superior Art Gallery, and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. In October 2022, Martin King held a solo gallery exhibition with Co.Lab Gallery in Thunder Bay, Ontario. 

As of late, Martin is an animator, character designer, and storyboard artist for Shebafilms Studios. He is familiar with many computer editing software, including: Adobe Photoshop CC and the Adobe suite, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut X and, Storyboard Pro 6 and Harmony 21. 

Martin also enjoys volunteering and attending community art events around Thunder Bay, and can often be spotted at events drawing caricatures. Currently, Martin volunteers as a member of the board for Vox Popular Media Arts and Flash Frame Film and Video Network.

Martin King – Director