Priya Ramesh (artist name: Contra) is a multidisciplinary artist who navigates the Canadian arts and culture landscape as a musician, director, curator and creative strategist.Her most prominent project to date is through her work in Cartel Madras, an expansive and experimental music project now signed under Sub Pop Records. As a founding member of the FOREIGNERZ arthouse, her artistic journey has also brought her into the world of art direction, filmmaking and creative strategy. Challenging cities, industries and narratives to allow new voices in is at the very centre of how Contra pursues all her creative endeavours; furthering culture and allowing art to thrive.

Using her eclectic professional background within the creative sector, Contra has been able to combine her artistry with business strategy and marketing acumen with initiatives through her collective and work with other Calgary-based arts organizations. Through her work in Cartel Madras, she has developed counter-culture showcases for new artists while touring extensively within Canada and the United States, giving her an immediate, essential and thorough pulse of the underground across Canada.

In 2021 she expanded her expertise into overseeing the creation and production of art exhibitions, digital series and documentaries and was the curator of the Arts Commons Incubator program for its 2021-2022 season. Since 2021, she has worked with BUMP Festival in creative strategy, programming and marketing.

About Creative Mornings

CreativeMornings Calgary is focused on building a community that understands and values the importance of face-to-face interaction and collaboration. Our free monthly event is open to anyone who shares a passion for recognizing and celebrating the best this city has to offer. Calgary is full of amazing talent and it is such a great opportunity that we get to inspire, challenge and motivate one another each and every month.