We gratefully acknowledge the help and support of all our members in making the Ryga Arts Festival possible.
Trista Bassett is a multi-disciplinary artist, arts administrator, and community builder based in Summerland and Hudson’s Hope, BC. As Executive Director of the Peace Valley Arts Society and General Manager of the Ryga Arts Festival, she develops inclusive, community-engaged arts programs spanning visual, literary, and performing arts. Her work emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and access to the arts in northern and rural communities. A practicing visual artist, playwright, and musician, Trista integrates creativity and connection in all aspects of her work—bridging professional and community arts while fostering dialogue, learning, and belonging through the transformative power of artistic exchange.
Jack Paterson (he, him) is an award-winning director, devisor, dramaturg, translator, theatre maker & Creative producer whose work and practice have taken him across Canada, Asia, Europe, South America, United Kingdom & USA. Projects have ranged from contemporary devised creation, multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural, and multi-lingual experiences to new works, translations & texts, to contemporary approaches to classical theatre.
Shows under his direction have garnered over thirty theatre award nominations with many wins including “Outstanding Production”. He is a recipient of “The Ray Michal Outstanding Body of Work Award”, “The Cole Foundation Award for Emerging Translators”, and “The John Moffat & Larry Lillo Award for Outstanding West Coast Artist”.
He trained at leading international theatrical institutions including Circle in the Square (NYC, USA), GITIS The University of Performing Arts (Moscow, RU), SENI Indonesian Institute of the Arts (Bali, ID) and received his MFA in World Theatre Direction from the renown East 15 Acting School & University of Essex (London, UK).
Doug has been writing professionally for over 25 years and has been obsessed with the outdoors for as long as he can remember. Doug’s publishing credits include The Flyfish Journal, The Globe and Mail, and National Geographic. He can be found online at www.thewatercalls.ca and instagram.com/the_water_calls or deep in the mountains looking for trout.
Erin Cronie is a local software and web developer based in Penticton, BC, and the founder of Cloud9 Calm Co.. She has been part of the Ryga Arts Festival marketing team for over a year, helping to expand the festival’s digital presence and keep the community connected to its programming. As the festival’s website developer, Erin combines her technical expertise with a passion for local artists, creating user-friendly, engaging platforms that showcase the vibrant cultural scene of the Okanagan.
We gratefully acknowledge the help and support of all our members in making the Ryga Arts Festival possible.