Marcus Merasty
2025–2026 Artist-In-Residence
ARTIST BIO
Marcus Merasty (he/they) is a Nēhithaw/Cree performer, choreographer, and multidisciplinary artist with ancestral roots in Wapâwikoscikanihk/Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan. A past Artist-in-Residence at New Dance Horizons (Regina, SK) and graduate of The School of Contemporary Dancers (Winnipeg, MB). Marcus’ work focuses on Indigenous contemporary dance performance and creation. Their work has been presented at; Remai Modern (Saskatoon, SK); Stream of Dance Festival (Regina,SK); Summer Love-in Festival (Toronto, ON); and Queer City Cinema (Regina, SK). He has worked as a dancer/interpreter for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, The Globe Theatre, NDH/Rouge-gorge, and Lara Kramer. Marcus is currently based in Treaty 4 Territory/Regina, SK.
Marcus’ practice is deeply rooted in the intertwining of traditional and contemporary Indigenous dance forms, ideologies, and practices. His multidisciplinary approach combines choreography with visual imagery, storytelling, poetry, film, and object-based performance. Their work constructs experiences that examine the intersections of personal and collective histories within a contemporary context. De-colonial practices and land-based research inform his process, while somatic movement exploration remains central to their artistic expression.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
“The Golden Rez Dog is a somatic investigation into personal, collective, and ancestral histories. Inspired by the Cree poem The Old Rez Dog by Francine Merasty and The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius, the piece reflects on transformation, memory, and transference of intergenerational knowledge.
Through dynamic movement, immersive soundscapes, and interaction with objects and materials, the Golden Rez Dog reveals how stories travel, shift, and continue to shape us. De-colonial and land-based research inform my process, while somatic movement exploration remains central to my artistic expression. This work is rooted in the blending of traditional and contemporary Indigenous dance forms, ideologies, and creative practices.
The research process during the residency will focus on incorporating new soundscores, investigations into time, space, repetition and duration, as well as the installation component of the work.”
RESIDENCY DATES AND EVENTS
Residency:
February 23 – March 6, 2026
Open Studio:
Monday, March 2, 2026
Time: To Be Announced
Space to Create – 2B-468 Main Street
Pay What You Can
Accessibility Information:
17-step staircase
Gender Inclusive Washrooms
ASL Interpretation offered upon request
Public Sharing:
Friday, March 6, 2026
7:00–8:30pm
Location: To Be Announced
Pay What You Can
Essayist: Viv
Facilitator: Mariana
This residency is made possible with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Arts Council.