These are Up Here 11’s Power Up artists: Emily Audette, Emily Maville, Carlos Potes, Cat Hexes, Sam Barry and Brittany Rose—bringing bold stories, vibrant colours, and local legends to Sudbury’s streets, proudly powered by Greater Sudbury Utilities.

How did you become an artist?

Emily Audette: I’ve always been a creative person from a young age, very content to spend hours alone in my room drawing and imagining different stories with my toys. Middle school and access to online art communities pushed me to take my art more seriously. Being able to put my imagination on paper and turn ideas into reality with my art has always been what I want to achieve.

Emily Maville: I have been in love with visual art for as long as I remember. I frequently doodled on my school work, and spent much of my free time writing and drawing. I chose to attend Sudbury Secondary School because of its arts program, and now a hobby I practiced became a critical part of who I am.

Carlos Potes: I drew before I walked. My first memories as a toddler are drawing on my parents’ walls, reports, and clothes with markers, crayons, or charcoal. Creating stories, communicating with people, and motion graphics — animations — have always been my points of interest.

Cat Hexes: I just enjoy making things and the process if figuring it out. I love to play around with different mediums. I’ve always been up to something.

Brittany Rose: From a young age, I've always connected with art as a form of self-expression, often immersing myself in creation and consumption of art as way to both escape and understand the world better. I started painting when I was about 14, but my style evolved significantly through high school, getting my BFA at York University, and finally as a professional artist.

Sam Barry: I’m a mixed Indigenous person based in N’Swakamok (Sudbury, ON). I’m an artist, academic, and activist with a strong passion for community work. I mostly do murals, and I believe artivism is vital—especially with my identities—because it brings queer, trans, Indigenous, and abolitionist visibility into spaces that aren’t always accessible to us.

How does this year’s theme resonate with your work or your life?

Emily Audette: Transformation is an idea that I believe everyone can connect with. It’s something that goes hand in hand with life. As people, we constantly grow and transform from the experiences that we face.

Emily Maville: The work I am creating for UPHere is titled “Weird Girls Make the World go ‘round!” I often found solace in writing and drawing as a kid as I was so frequently bullied. Creating art for me was a means of transforming myself.

Carlos Potes: As a graphic designer and artist, “adaptation” is my cup of tea. My creations are to support people’s goals and visions better. Bending, adapting, and understanding a new canvas allows me to be more efficient and more confident.

Cat Hexes: There was a length of time where I really struggled with my mental health and I stopped drawing and painting in a way I had been practicing for years. I got a cheap sketchbook and filled it with silly little drawings just for me.

Brittany Rose: When I first started being seriously interested in art, I spent a lot of time creating art to emulate reality. After moving from Sudbury to Toronto, I started to create more intuitively, letting my thoughts and feelings in the moment take over.

Sam Barry: I believe in moving conversations into new spaces, even those that haven’t always been open to me or people like me. My work bends and adapts with my communities while staying rooted in my values.

Are there recurring themes in your work?

Emily Audette: My biggest inspiration stems from animals and the vibrancy and curiosity that they bring me. I want people to see the importance between our lives and that of the environment and creatures surrounding us.

Emily Maville: Much of my work, at its roots, is about being queer, unapologetic, and campy. I explore the lesbian experience, politics, and community, and have recently dived into themes of internet identity and consumerism.

Carlos Potes: Like the Lose Yourself song — by Eminem — says: “You only get one shot...” My recurring messages for the last 10+ years are: “we’ve got this” and “teamwork makes the dream work.”

Cat Hexes: I love exploring myths, history and lore of all sorts. I like to incorporate symbology into my pieces to help convey a specific mood.

Brittany Rose: While the themes of my work vary, I often revisit freedom, self-confidence, mental health struggles, and music as a coping mechanism for pain. I am always exploring my own healing through art.

Sam Barry: My work is inherently queer, trans, Indigenous, and abolitionist. It’s about visibility, intergenerational activist knowledge transfer, and creating space for intersectional identities.

How do your surroundings influence the direction of your murals?

Emily Audette: The northern environment where I live is definitely a big influence. I’m inspired by the plant life and animals I see daily, trying to incorporate these elements in ways that will intrigue the public.

Emily Maville: I usually begin with an idea or message and tailor it to fit wherever I can find space for it. It makes me happy to give back to the arts community that started my passion.

Carlos Potes: Understanding the canvas, spending time with the community, and practicing with my creative tools have a direct impact on my work — my wife, family, and friends are my inspiration.

Cat Hexes: I try to tap into local community and environmental history so the mural has connection to the place it resides.

Brittany Rose: Since my piece will be surrounded by earthy tones with grass, trees, etc., I chose to include a vivid unnatural colour palette to help it stand out.

What do you hope people will feel after seeing your mural?

Emily Audette: I just hope it catches someone’s eye and brings them joy. I want to be able to share some vibrancy with others.

Emily Maville: I have hope that my mural will inspire girls and women of all ages to embrace being “weird.” We need to embrace doing our own things and not following trends we will discard.

Carlos Potes: I want to inspire others to follow their dreams, be kind, and have respect for everyone — including ourselves.

Cat Hexes: I hope they have a deeper connection with their community.

Brittany Rose: I am hoping to evoke feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and inspiration through a combination of nostalgic music imagery, bright colour schemes, and inspirational messaging.

What’s your process like when approaching a new mural?

Emily Audette: I’ve only worked on a mural once before, so I’m figuring it out as I go and learning from it. I’m simply trying to remember to have fun and create the art I want to show people.

Emily Maville: I plan my initial design, then prime and map out where that design will go based on what feels right at the location. Proportions and perfection have never really been a part of my method, so going with my gut is essential.

Carlos Potes: I get as much briefing, context, or information as possible before sketching. It supports me to create a clear message that can resonate with people.

Cat Hexes: I’m a planner. Having research and ideas floating in my head helps with the potential panic of doing things under pressure.

Brittany Rose: My process begins with ideating and rough sketches. I plan quite a bit in advance but leave space for freedom when executing, as sketches can change by the end.

Is there a dream project you’d love to pursue in the future?

Emily Audette: I want to continue sharing my art publicly, make larger art pieces, and do more professional work.

Emily Maville: I would love to work super big and super up high, conquering anxieties. I also want to blend drag performance and visual art.

Carlos Potes: I want to support as many people as I can with my art and design skills, and connect with new creative friends.

Cat Hexes: I’d like to do bigger murals but also little secret ones you have to explore the city to find.

Brittany Rose: I dream of integrating art and music, working on album artwork, stage sets, and collaborating with musicians like Lady Gaga.

What advice would you give to emerging artists?

Emily Audette: Continue to practice and grow. Master what you love and share it with the world. The only thing that can hold you back is yourself.

Emily Maville: Just keep at it, and never change your work for anyone. Rejection letters are like awards. Avoid using generative AI!

Carlos Potes: Keep it up, you’ve got this! Every day is a new beginning. Focus on now and what you want to do tomorrow.

Cat Hexes: Fill sketchbooks with messy “ugly” drawings.

Brittany Rose: Allow yourself the freedom to make bad art. Focus on creating something every day, not perfection. Experimentation is key.

Big thanks to our partner Barrydowne Paint for their contribution in keeping our muralists stocked and our walls vibrant, one brushstroke at a time.

Creative Currents: Meet the PowerUp Artists