Gifts from Our Ancestors at Open Space. March 7 - April 12, 2014.
An exhibition of participants, mentors, and guests of the Indigenous Youth Artist Showcase.
Photo from Opening Reception on Friday March 7, 2014
An exhibition of participants, mentors, and guests of the Indigenous Youth Artist Showcase.
Photo from Opening Reception on Friday March 7, 2014
Dr Sarah Hunt successfully defended her PHD thesis on March 3, 2014. Her research aims to illuminate and change the high rates of abuse experienced by Indigenous people. She is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation through her father Richard Hunt. As the curator of GIfts from Our Ancestors, Sarah Hunt addresses the need for Indigenous youth (ages 19-25) to participate, learn and grow supported by local community. For the past five months, youthful participants met bi-weekly with senior Indigenous artists to share interests and develop their artmaking. “By receiving a space and opportunity to exhibit,” says Sarah, “they have all expressed their unique talents. It’s been a rewarding experience.” Sarah invited Peter Morin to partner in her vision and they both approached Open Space. Peter visited the opening celebrations via Face Time from his teaching post at Brandon University. |
Jesse Campbell includes Metis and Cree in his cultural background. He’s impressed by all the multi-faceted learning process of the project. Discussion, ideas and promotion were followed by physically creating and installing the artwork. “A lot of things had to come together to make it work,” he says.
His wall mural of Cree syllabics tells the flood story, common to many global communities. The process was labourious, as Jesse converted an English translation of the story into Cree. He used the graffiti-removing technique of buffing to smudge out certain words, making reference to the devastating impact of assimilation. |
Sacha Ouellet's cultural background includes Haida, Tsimshian, French Canadian and Scottish. Her mother took her to pow wows and ceremonial gatherings as a child.
This program has given her new tools and skills to interact with peers. The bi-weekly get-togethers encouraged her creative ideas to flow and form. “The mentors offered us a safe space to share our thoughts and feelings,” she says. She met Janet Rogers at the pop-up shop in December, which led to an internship as Indigenous News Anchor at CFUV radio station. Indigenous News Anchor |
Open Space is located at 510 Fort Street on the 2nd floor.
Hours are noon-5:00pm Tuesday - Saturday. Phone: 250.383.8833
More info at Open Space
Web Design, Content and Photos: Kate Cino previewed arts events for 18 years at Boulevard magazine. She has a History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from the University of Victoria. For ten years, Kate operated an art & framing shop. This website and its content is copyright of Art Openings, 2009. All rights reserved. Written permission is required for reproduction of photos or text. |