Saturday, September 10, 2022
Learn more about the traditions and techniques of west coast carving through an in-depth look at select works. Participants will have the opportunity to meet featured and guest artists and hear them present their pieces.
11am - 11:30am with Shy Watters
2pm - 2:30pm with Shy Watters
5pm - 5:30pm with Rick Xwa'lack'tun Harry
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Learn more about the traditions and techniques of west coast carving through an in-depth look at select works. Participants will have the opportunity to meet featured and guest artists and hear them present their pieces.
11:00am -11:30am with Brad Starr
2:00pm -2:30pm with Shy Watters
Shy Watters is a member of the shishalh Nation (Coast Salish) also has kwakwakáwakw linage.
Shy weaves intricate designs-and weaves patterns from her rich cultural background. Her
medium is cedar. Shy has passionately weaving red and yellow cedar since 1999 and
continues to explore her art form with tenacity and enjoyment. The innovative patterns used in
Shy’s cedar hats are poplar and much of her working sought after cultural ceremonies.
Shy is well known for her work and she generally offers weaving courses through out the year
here on the coast and through out BC. Since the pandemic Shy has moved to online teaching and sells a variety of cedar kits also.
Rick Harry (Xwalacktun) has produced a prodigious body of artwork and an enduring legacy of goodwill. A highly skilled artist and teacher, Mr. Harry has made healing, growth, respect and giving back to the community central themes in his life.
Born and raised in Squamish, Mr. Harry was educated at Emily Carr College of Art and Capilano College before embarking on a 30-year career as an internationally recognized artist and cultural ambassador. He works in wood, glass and steel and is best known for his remarkable wood carvings.
Mr. Harry’s carvings can be seen in high-profile locations in the Lower Mainland. These are among more than 80 pieces he has carved for schools and other institutions throughout B.C. and around the world. Mr. Harry was the first Aboriginal artist chosen to receive a licence to produce 2010 Olympics-related designs.
With influence extending well beyond B.C.’s borders, Mr. Harry has been commissioned by galleries in New York and New Hampshire to produce carvings. He has been featured on high-profile television programs, including Sesame Street, and has – for a decade – conducted totem carving classes in Scotland, helping people there preserve their own heritage.
Over the years, Mr. Harry has become a highly acclaimed artist, a link between the Squamish Nation and other communities, and a great representative of British Columbia.
Brad Starr
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