New Douglas College art exhibit celebrates the depth and diversity of Indigenous artistic expression

A new exhibit opening at the Amelia Douglas Gallery today invites viewers to reflect on Indigenous histories and futures through mixed-media painting, photography, textile art and beadwork.

A featured stop on the 2024 New West Cultural Crawl, the kʷәcstәxʷ exhibit showcases 10 Indigenous artists based in British Columbia who honour their ancestral cultures through traditional and contemporary art forms and media.

Textile artist Tanya Zilinski, whose heritage is Anishinaabe/Ukrainian, is exhibiting three loom-beaded tapestries exploring her family’s cultural ties across time, connecting generations through traditional Stó:lo practices.

“My tapestry Stó:lo Ts'elhxwélmexw Chth'óqwi Sqwélqwel tells the story of our family’s history of fishing on Stó:lo lands since time immemorial, the present and into the future,” she said. “It tells future generations of the importance of fishing in our family lineage and our cultural heritage.”

Other featured artists include acrylic painter Ashley Jones, Nisga’a and Métis visual artist Chantelle Trainor-Matties, mixed-media artist Christine Delay, Métis photographer Dale Andrews, acrylic painter Denny Provost, Anishinaabe bead artist Melody Markle, Haida painter Shelley McDonald and mixed Indigenous visual artist Tiffany Prince.

“As we engage with the art featured in the kʷәcstәxʷ exhibit, we are invited to reflect on our own roles in fostering a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing and becoming,” said Jennifer Anaquod, Director of Indigenous Academic Initiatives at Douglas College.

The community is invited to the opening reception at 4:30pm this afternoon at the Amelia Douglas Gallery on Douglas College’s New Westminster Campus. The exhibit runs until Nov. 1. Admission is free.

During the New West Cultural Crawl on Saturday, Oct. 5, 11am–5pm, a free community art activity invites visitors to engage with the kʷәcstәxʷ exhibit on a deeper level. Art materials will be provided, and participants will be able to take home their creation.

Douglas College is the largest college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.

For more information, visit douglascollege.ca

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Contact

Elizabeth Douglas
Communications Officer
douglase2@douglascollege.ca