This year, Golden Prairie Arts Council (GPAC) welcomed Rita Bisht as the new board chairperson, replacing Scott Johnston of MMJS Law Offices.
Bisht has been a part of the Carman community for over ten years and has been a longstanding GPAC board member, joining the board in 2018.
“As a board member, I got firsthand experience of the amazing activities and events that GPAC has been organizing over the years. GPAC’s mission is to showcase diverse artists from all walks and be inclusive to ethnic minorities. As chair of the organization, I am excited to further promote the values of GPAC and support events that will garner support across a variety of ages and backgrounds,” she said.
Many years ago, Bisht heard about the GPAC when she attended a concert in town recommended by a friend, which she thoroughly enjoyed. From that point on, it was clear to her that she wanted to support the organization, she said.
“Throughout most of my adult life, I’ve enjoyed volunteering in the communities I live in. I joined the board since I was looking to be involved with the Dufferin community, and with my interest in arts and promoting diversity, I felt GPAC was a perfect fit to share these values,” Bisht said.
Bisht works in the Carman school system and has occasionally taught Indian cooking classes for the last eight years. Her husband, Vikram, works for the Manitoba Department of Agriculture. Their daughter and son-in-law live in Brooklyn, New York.
But the most interesting fact about Bisht is her diverse background.
Bisht was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, has lived in seven countries and has travelled to many others. When she lived in Prague as a child, she spoke Czech fluently and learned conversational Mandarin when she lived in China.
Growing up experiencing and engaging with so many different cultures around the world has given her a passion for exploring diversity since she was young.
Bisht said she loves travelling and learning about other cultures — specifically their local cuisine. Cooking is a passion of hers, and she likes to try her hand at making international dishes when she learns about them.
Although she is not an artist herself, she enjoys visiting exhibitions, art galleries and the theatre. One of her favourite authors is American novelist Toni Morrison.
Her cultural background motivates her desire to foster inclusivity and celebrate all cultures in the community, which she hopes to carry into the art scene in her new as board chair, she said.
“By being involved with GPAC, I feel part of the community I live in and am happy that I can contribute my background and perspectives to the work the council does.”
