Nicole's artistic expressions

Nicole LeClair is a Winnipeg-based Indigenous artist whose journey with art began at the Winnipeg Art Gallery when she was six years old, captivated by the stories woven into paintings. She honed her craft at Red River College in Advertising Art, where she explored a range of techniques and deepened her understanding of how art communicates with its viewers. 

Though she spent time in Calgary and Canmore, the prairies of Winnipeg always called her back, grounding her work in the city’s multicultural vibrancy and rich Indigenous traditions.

Her art breathes life into pointillism, drawing on the meticulous beauty of tiny dots to echo the beadwork of her Métis heritage. She embraces a vibrant palette to craft symbols and narratives that honor Indigenous culture, identity, resilience, and the stories of her ancestors. Painting, to Nicole, is as comforting as walking Winnipeg’s familiar streets—an ongoing symphony of wonder that commemorates life and lineage.

Since 2005, Nicole has embraced her Métis heritage and shared her passion through exhibitions at venues such as the Cre8ery Art Gallery, CBC’s Canada Day coverage, and the Canadian Museum of History. She now passes on her love of pointillism to children and adults through engaging Métis-inspired programs that blend creativity with mindfulness, highlighting art’s therapeutic benefits. Nicole’s mission is to create inspiring art that enriches the individual spirit while giving back to the community, fostering connection, understanding, and a collective sense of hope and resilience.