April 24, 2009
Media contact: Kim Lawrence
Office: 604-864-4611
Cell: 604-302-6257
kim.lawrence@ufv.ca
UFV student-artisans showcase carving work for community
Last fall, a group of eager but uncertain students took up their carving tools and, for the first time, learned how to properly care for and respect them. They listened to the stories and wisdom of the master carver assigned to mentor them. They participated in a cleansing ritual to clear their minds and focus their efforts. Only then did they take their first tenuous steps towards sculpting the rough pieces of cedar wood placed before them into something magical.
Eleven student-artisans have now completed the University of the Fraser Valley’s year-long Indigenous Arts certificate and will present their completed masks to the community at a celebration of their work on Tuesday, April 28 at the theatre on the university’s Chilliwack campus (45635 Yale Rd.). The artisans are Crystal Chapman, Isadore Charters, Vern Millward, Harvey Robinson, Ali Buffalo, Bernadette James, Augie Williams, Lee Prevost, Tony Williams, Vaughn Jones, and Ron Austin Jr. They have been guided and mentored by instructor Francis Horne Sr. and technician Rocky LaRock.
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Back row (L-R): Tony Williams, Harvey Robinson, August (Augie) Williams, Bernadette
James, Ron Austin Jr., Lee Prevost, Crystal Chapman, Allison (Alli) Buffalo, Vern Millwar, and Isadore Charters.
Front row (L-R): Instructor Francis Horne Sr., Instructor Brandon Gabriel, and Technician Rocky LaRock. |
“This new certificate is designed to provide learning about indigenous art that is anchored in and built upon the life experiences and collective wisdom of the participants,” says Shirley Hardman, Aboriginal Access coordinator at UFV. “Its purpose is to teach and develop traditional and contemporary artistic skills to students of self-identified indigenous ancestry, or persons with substantial ties to the aboriginal community.”
Successful completion of this certificate — which will be running again this coming fall — provides students with the opportunity to honour their artistic gifts while learning the skills and knowledge necessary to further their professional practices. The students work with mentors over the year to develop a professional portfolio, while also learning how to promote their work through exhibitions and sales. The program is focused on a particular art practice (e.g. carving or textiles) that may change from year to year.
The evening will begin with a light dinner at 5:30 pm followed by a 10-minute video documentary
In the Moment, produced by UFV student Debbie Bob, which chronicles the journey the student carvers took as they progressed through the course. The students will then don their masks and Francis Horne Sr. will present them one by one, after which they will receive comments from community members. The evening will also feature the launch of the Sto:lo Tourism Commission’s new promotional DVD, entitled
Beautiful Land of the Sto:lo.
The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Questions? Please call 604-795-2835.
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| Student Lee Prevost with his completed mask. |
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