Member of the Month – Kamloops Arts Council
For the member of the month – April 2026, we interviewed KAC member artist Mina Maghsoudi. She is one of the winners at Art Exposed 2026.
Full Name: Mina Maghsoudi
Medium: Wood Marquetry & Wood Carving (Moarraq-Monabat)
How long have you been practicing your art:
I have been practicing wood marquetry professionally since I was 13 years old. For over a decade, my journey with wood has evolved from a passion into a career, involving both creating custom pieces for sale and teaching this intricate craft to others.
What got you originally interested in the art you do:
Since childhood, I’ve felt a deep and mystical connection to natural elements like wood and stone. During a school break, I decided to take a wood carving course. At the time, finding a place for a girl or a woman to learn professional woodworking was challenging, as it was a field dominated by men. I eventually found a private master to teach me. Interestingly, I didn’t even know what marquetry was back then, but once I touched the wood and started creating, I fell completely in love with it.
What is something you have learned about yourself through your art:
Through the meticulous process of marquetry, I discovered a level of patience and perseverance I never knew I had. It taught me that with enough focus and dedication, nothing is impossible. My art has become a mirror showing me my own inner strength.
What do you enjoy the most about your art:
What I enjoy most is the “voice” of the natural elements. In my work, I go beyond wood, incorporating semi-precious stones like Turquoise, natural sea shells, and metals into the marquetry. I love how every material, whether it’s the grain of a tree or the shimmer of a shell, carries its own unique color and texture. I use no artificial dyes; I simply let the raw, organic beauty of nature speak for itself.
What is your favorite joke/quote:
One of my favorite quotes is by Rumi: “Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it.” As an artist, I feel like my work is a way of bringing that hidden garden of nature into people’s homes.
What is something most people don’t know about you:
Many people see the delicacy of my work, but they might not know the resilience behind it. Growing up as a female artist in Iran, I faced many systemic limitations in accessing professional woodworking tools and spaces. However, those very obstacles fueled my determination to master this craft and prove that art knows no gender boundaries.
If you could teach everyone one art medium or method, what would it be, why:
I would teach Wood Marquetry. In today’s fast-paced world, this art form forces you to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the tiny details. It teaches you that even the smallest, most fragile piece of wood has a vital place in the bigger picture.
What do you think makes art important:
Art is a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. As an immigrant artist in Kamloops, art has been my bridge to connect with my new community. It’s a way to share the soul of my heritage while embracing the beauty of my new home in Canada.
Why are you a member of the Kamloops Arts Council:
I joined the KAC to be part of a supportive creative family. Being a member allows me to contribute to the local vibrant art scene in Kamloops and to learn from the incredibly talented artists who call this beautiful city home.
What are you looking forward to the most in this upcoming year:
I am currently in the exciting phase of gathering a diverse collection of rare wood species from around the world. My next big project involves selecting a truly unique and intricate design that can showcase the natural harmony between these different timbers, bringing woods from various continents together into one storytelling piece.
Are you on social media or have a website:
You can find my work and follow my creative journey on Instagram at: @mina.art.collection
https://www.instagram.com/mina.art.collection?igsh=MXAxZmppZGtzdnl1dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
or my facebook at: Mina Maghsoudi (mina.art.collection)
https://www.facebook.com/share/16Ty4CXHuX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Is there anything else you would like us to add or feature:
I would like to emphasize that one of my core missions is to use my platform to support and inspire other female artists from my homeland. I want to show that through art, we can find our voices and overcome any boundary. My goal is to represent the strength and talent of women who continue to create against all odds.