Kwentong Bayan Collective
Althea Balmes
photo by Haseena Manek
Althea Balmes (she/her) is a multidisciplinary visual storyteller and arts educator. Her visual narratives explore themes and stories of migration, labour and personhood. And her work expands on the decolonial aesthetics of the Filipino diasporic experience.
Althea's illustrations and comics have been published in Briarpatch Magazine, Rice Paper Magazine, Our Times Magazine, Carte Blanche, Looseleaf Magazine and by Between the Lines Press.
As an arts educator, she takes an anti-oppressive framework to build and deliver arts-based curriculum in visual storytelling and comics with newcomers, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, racialized groups and under-served communities.
Althea started the Comic- Making Workshop + Residency Program (Cup Doodle Project) in 2016 to nurture and provide a creative space for Asian youth interested in telling their stories through comics. She teaches visual storytelling workshops throughout the city.
Althea is the other member of Kwentong Bayan Collective.
Website: altheabalmes.com
Althea's illustrations and comics have been published in Briarpatch Magazine, Rice Paper Magazine, Our Times Magazine, Carte Blanche, Looseleaf Magazine and by Between the Lines Press.
As an arts educator, she takes an anti-oppressive framework to build and deliver arts-based curriculum in visual storytelling and comics with newcomers, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, racialized groups and under-served communities.
Althea started the Comic- Making Workshop + Residency Program (Cup Doodle Project) in 2016 to nurture and provide a creative space for Asian youth interested in telling their stories through comics. She teaches visual storytelling workshops throughout the city.
Althea is the other member of Kwentong Bayan Collective.
Website: altheabalmes.com
Jo SiMalaya Alcampo
photo by Dhalia Katz
Jo SiMalaya Alcampo (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist whose art practice includes community storytelling, interactive installations, and electroacoustic soundscapes.
Jo volunteers with Careworker Connections, Education and Support Organization (CCESO) - an organization that supports migrant care workers and is a member of the Kapwa Collective - a mutual support group of Filipinx Canadian artists, critical thinkers, and healers bridging narratives between the Indigenous and the Diasporic.
Jo wrote the play, HILOT MEANS HEALER that premiered in 2019. It explores Philippine folklore, legends, and Indigenous spirituality. And is currently writing the next two plays in the trilogy.
Jo is the other member of Kwentong Bayan Collective.
Website: josimalaya.com
Jo volunteers with Careworker Connections, Education and Support Organization (CCESO) - an organization that supports migrant care workers and is a member of the Kapwa Collective - a mutual support group of Filipinx Canadian artists, critical thinkers, and healers bridging narratives between the Indigenous and the Diasporic.
Jo wrote the play, HILOT MEANS HEALER that premiered in 2019. It explores Philippine folklore, legends, and Indigenous spirituality. And is currently writing the next two plays in the trilogy.
Jo is the other member of Kwentong Bayan Collective.
Website: josimalaya.com
