Hélène Descoteaux is a community organizer and project coordinator based in Clayoquot Sound. Her interest in the arts stems from the belief that the well-being of individuals, strength in culture, and connection to the land are necessary foundations for a vibrant & healthy community. With a background in geography and holistic nutrition, Hélène has years of experience working in the local community with non-profit organizations, both in the environmental & arts sector.

Born on Vancouver Island and raised on an off-grid float house in her own Tla-o-qui-aht Territory, Ivy has grown up with two very artistic parents. Her mother Robin Cargill, a “jill of all trades” in the art world, and her father Carl Martin, a Tla-o-qui-aht master canoe carver. From a young age, she found inspiration in every direction and was drawn to art as a form of self-expression. She learnt different techniques and art forms from her parents, friends, and family. Her explorations of drawing and painting grew to include carving, crochet, embroidery, block printing, jewelry, sculpture, and even traditional hand poked tattoos. She is constantly looking for new inspiration through art and expanding her artistic portfolio. Drawing on her Art of Hosting training and graphic recording skills, she has recently immersed herself in arts-based community facilitation through creating visual representations of stories being shared. She loves the practice because it reminds her of how Tla-o-qui-aht people would have recorded important teachings and histories in the past. She hopes to continue to carve her own path in the arts sector and is eager for the opportunities and connections that Carving on the Edge will provide.

Since 2014, Robinson has been a key contributor to the success of the workshops programming component of the Carving on the Edge Festival. He has instructed several workshops himself, taken a leadership role in coordinating artist instructors and overseen production. Robinson’s community mindedness and long-standing relationships with artists in the carving community have contributed to his success in facilitating and growing the Open Carving Area. Following the 2018 festival, Robinson formed the Carving on the Edge Carving Club, an informal bimonthly gathering of carvers that was inspired by the desire to keep the momentum going from the festival and to support people who are not carving every day.