Yolone Art Group captures the Kootenays in motion

Hungarian artists Jani Lakatos, Sophie Barbarics establish vibrant new photography and dance business

A young ballerina strikes a graceful pose during a portfolio shoot with Lakatos five years ago. Now a soloist in Lodz, Poland, this image captures the years of dedication it takes to perform with such elegance. — Photo courtesy Writer's Block Solutions

In every dance there is a story waiting to be captured, and in every photograph, a movement yearning to be expressed, according to Jani Lakatos and Sophie Barbarics of Yolone Art Group.

The seasoned professional artists recently emigrated from Hungary, bringing their expertise in dance and photography to the Kootenays with the aim of enriching communities through artistic expression, skill development, and art education and culture. Their story aligns with broader trends in the Canadian arts sector, as immigrants make up 21% of independent artists, writers, and performers, and more than 2,000 businesses in the arts and culture sector are immigrant-owned, according to the 2021 census.

Together with Barbarics’ business-minded husband Dani and their four-year-old child, the long-time friends left behind the hustle and bustle of Budapest for the tranquility of rural BC. Lakatos, an experienced photographer, and Barbarics, a renowned dancer, describe their collaboration under Yolone Art Group as a dynamic interplay.

“Our profession is our passion and our mission; our heritage is ambition, discipline, love, and experience,” says Lakatos. “We came to give.”

After a few decades of travelling and working all around the world, they decided to find a place where the circumstances were ideal for their creativity to flourish. The team built and submitted a business plan leveraging their professional experiences to help successfully qualify for a two-year Canadian work permit under the C-11 Program for business immigrants interested in investing in Canada. In March, they launched Yolone Art Group, and the pair say they’re excited for this next chapter of exploring opportunities and nurturing their artistic passions.

Lakatos, whose career spans visual arts and music, Olympic-level gymnastics and coaching, and 25 years of professional dance instruction at the Hungarian Dance University, brings his diverse skills and experience to the photography lens.

“I think the most important camera is not in your hand; it’s in your head,” he explains. “You need to educate it first, before you use the other one.”

Dancer Sophie Barbarics leads a class from her established studio in Budapest, Hungary, which continues to operate in her absence. She is now inspiring dancers in the Kootenays, with satellite locations in Trail, Rossland, Castlegar, and Nelson. - Photo courtesy Writer's Block Solutions

Barbarics, a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator, has dedicated over two decades to “the language of dance.” She holds a Master of Arts from the Hungarian Dance University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Croatian Language and Literature from University of Eötvös Loránd. Her passion for dance is evident in her unique teaching methods that combine contemporary and modern styles with improvisation to foster personal and communal growth. She also offers her professional expertise to amateur dancers to bring balance and joy in everyday life.

“Dance has always made me feel good; I’ve used it throughout my life,” she says. “In my mind, if you want happy children, you need happy adults—and for that, you must invest in yourself. It’s non-negotiable to do something that brings you joy."

Alongside the art, presentations, and classes, their strength lies in their ability to build communities, according to Jacomien van Tonder, Metal Tech Alley director and regional leader of the BC Provincial Nominee Program. She says her first meeting with them felt like reconnecting with old friends.

“We will undoubtedly see how their European point of view and extensive expertise will grow and elevate arts and culture in the Kootenays,” she adds.

Yolone Art Group is planning to run adult dance classes and workshops out of the former Trail library in the Trail Memorial Centre, Rossland’s Madhu Collective, and Nelson’s Front Street Dance Studio. They are actively searching for a location in Castlegar with plans to operate throughout the four communities. Lakatos shoots photography at locations throughout the Kootenays, and his work can be seen at exhibits currently showing at the Trail VISAC Gallery and Nelson’s Torchlight Brewing. For more information, visit: https://www.yoloneart.ca.