kevin jesuino
As an interdisciplinary artist of Portuguese heritage, I move through the land as an uninvited guest on the traditional territories of the Nehiyaw, Denesuliné, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe and Niitsitapi people in Treaty 6 territory, the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations) in Treaty 7, and within the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Since 2004, my artistic practice has been driven by a radical interdisciplinary integration of performance, socially engaged art, and digital media. I create work, including performance, video art, temporary public artworks, and participatory installations, that is fundamentally rooted in the belief that art serves as a catalyst for collective emancipation. My central focus is to establish co-creative spaces that facilitate an embodied exchange of care and dialogue among participants. Through experiential processes, I explore urgent themes such as accessibility, unseen histories, gender and sexuality, and urbanism across both public and private domains.
I hold an MFA in Contemporary Arts from Simon Fraser University (2025), a BFA in Interdisciplinary Performance from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (2013; Governor General's Award), and a diploma in Theatre Arts from MacEwan University (2004). This diverse training enables me to create work that thrives in a variety of settings—from traditional galleries and theatres to parking lots, back alleys, and public streets. Regardless of the venue, my goal remains the same: to use the arts as a tool for dialogue, inviting participants to navigate complex social questions through transformative, participatory actions.
Over the years, I have collaborated with a wide range of organizations, both nationally and internationally. My work has been presented in Vancouver with partners like Health Initiative for Men, All Bodies Dance Projects, Theatre Terrific and the Audain Gallery (SFU). In Calgary, I worked with Mountain Standard Time, The Alex Community Food Centre, Springboard Performance, ContainR Art Park, Mount Royal University, Trico Changemaker Studio, Crescent Heights Community Association, Calgary Arts Development, among others. My reach extends to Kelowna, with collaborations including The French Cultural Centre of Okanagan, Okanagan School District #23, Alternator Gallery for Contemporary Arts, Kelowna Pride Centre, the University of British Columbia Okanagan and internationally to Thailand, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Brazil. These partnerships are crucial to my practice, ensuring that my projects are deeply connected to the communities they serve and that I am able to foster genuine connections of community care.
I currently hold two key artistic roles. I am the incoming Artistic Director of Theatre Terrific, British Columbia's oldest disability arts organization. In this capacity, I continue to focus on creating accessible, heart-centered, and community-based participatory performances.
In addition, I am the Co-Artistic Director of TRAction, a cross-provincial (BC/AB) Indigenous/settler-led arts collective. Our work is dedicated to decolonizing the climate arts sectors within Northern Turtle Island.
The following are professional associations that I am a registered member with:
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Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists (CADA West)
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International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA)
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International Teaching Artist Collaborative (ITAC)
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Canadian Artist Representation (CARFAC) British Columbia
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Performance Studies International (PSi)
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Yoga Alliance
GET IN TOUCH
kevinjesuino(at)gmail.com
