Mary Louise Chown

Mary Louise Chown was born in Toronto, but she considers herself a prairie chicken, having lived most of her life in Winnipeg. She is a storyteller who heard many stories in her own extended family, and is most familiar with the Celtic folk tales of the British Isles and Northern Europe. Mary Louise also plays hammered dulcimer, guitar and percussion with "The Fine Companions", a folk music band. Chown often includes music and song in her stories, inviting audiences of all ages to participate. She has performed at storytelling festivals in Toronto, Ottawa, Whitehorse, Edmonton, Vancouver, Inuvik and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Chown also works with the Manitoba Arts Council as a visiting artist in schools across Manitoba. She is often heard telling stories on CBC radio and she has produced the storytelling audio tape "North From Center". " Doing Time" is Chown's first experience telling a story in video format. She has collaborated with Joanne Quanbury