Gordon Dick is a Nuu-chah-nulth master carver residing on the traditional territory of Tseshaht First Nation, in what is currently known as Port Alberni, British Columbia. Beginning as a silversmith in 1995, Dick worked on small, intricate designs before transitioning to the large-scale wood carvings he is now known for. His work is held in private collections around the world and he has been invited to carve at various carving symposiums in Germany, Mexico, Hawaii and Italy. His art is shaped by his values which were taught to him as the values of his culture: To be connected to the environment, to value the language of nature and to pay attention to its teachings.

Joe David is one of the most respected master artists of the Northwest Coast. He originally studied art in Seattle, but his interest in his own heritage and tradition led him to begin an intensive study of traditional Northwest Coast objects. He has always been drawn to the spiritual essence within Indigenous art practice and culture—and this later directed his path in art-making. In 2000, he was the first artist chosen for the Aboriginal Artist in Residence program at the Pilchuck Glass School. He is often requested by schools and institutions to lecture on Northwest Coast art. Joe is a founding member of the festival & society.

Joe Martin has been dedicated to mastering the art of traditional ƛaʔuukʷiatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) canoe carving for decades. He has sparked a revitalization of this ancient art form in his own community and among neighbouring nations in the Pacific Northwest. Taught by his father, the late Chief Robert Martin, Joe has continued to transfer his knowledge to future generations, taking on apprentices and leaving a legacy of over 70 carved canoes. Joe has been formally recognized for his incredible contributions to the artistic community – in 2013 he received a BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art and in 2012 he received a BC Community Achievement Award.

Norma has been active in the regional arts community since 1994, programming and producing a number of events linked with many local arts organizations. In addition to her involvement with the arts, Norma has worked with the seven communities in Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds as the CEO and Executive Director for a regional federal program (Natural Resources Canada). While serving as the president of the local arts council, Norma founded the Carving on the Edge Festival in 2010 and served as the festival coordinator and administrator over the next six festivals.

Tim is a master carver and accomplished artist, and an integral part of the cultural fabric of Nuu-chah-nulth. He is an activist, artistic collaborator, cultural knowledge keeper and holder, and environmentalist. Born in 1950 in the isolated village of Esperanza Inlet, north of Tofino on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, he began carving in 1975 under the direction of Ben Andrews and later with John Livingston at the Arts of the Raven studio in Victoria, BC. Tim held the position of senior carver at the Royal British Columbia Museum from 1984-92. Tim sought out time with elders and teachers to record some of their cultural and Nuu-chah-nulth linguistic knowledge. As a career artist he has carved many prestigious totem poles and cultural commissions in and outside Canada, including his current project: a language revitalization pole in Port Alberni. He is a co-founder of the festival.