Indigenous Arts Studio 2019

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

July 3 – September 13, 2019

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

For years, visitors have come to appreciate the beautiful, historic Indigenous art inside the Royal BC Museum. Now, for the first time, you can meet some of the artists who are creating the Indigenous art of today outside the Royal BC Museum.

Come visit our Indigenous Summer Arts Studio in Thunderbird Park and see a range of artistic practices including: carving (wood, bone), painting, cedar-bark weaving, wool weaving, beadwork, drum-making, jewelry engraving, leather/hide work, singing, storytelling, and textiles/sewing.

Join us as emerging Indigenous artists and their mentors create, share, learn, network with peers and meet guests from around the world.

Look for the large white tent with a wooden house-front façade (designed by Sarah Jim of the Tseycum First Nation) on the museum grounds in Thunderbird Park.

Everyone’s welcome! Drop by for a casual visit with the August & September artists:

  • Carolyn Memnook (weaving)
  • Fran Memnook (weaving)
  • Rupert Jeffrey (carving)
  • Travis Peal (carving)
  • Joselyn Williams (carving)
  • Jesse Campbell (painting)
  • Uumati Kisoun-Inuarak (painting)
  • Doug LaFortune (painting)

and a special thanks to July’s artists:

  • Virgil Sampson (Painting)
  • Travis Peal (Carving)
  • Joslyn Williams (Carving)
  • Jesse Campbell (Painting)
  • Doug Lafortune (Painting)
  • Sarah Jim (Painting)
  • Tim Alfred (Carving)

We launched the Indigenous Arts program in part because of tremendous public interest in 2018’s on-site pole carving program. That summer, Indigenous artists Tom and Perry LaFortune carved a monumental pole at the Royal BC Museum, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health and sponsored by TimberWest.

Learn more

The Summer Arts Studio originated from Indigenous artists and community members advocating for a space to learn from one another and share their teachings with the public. This summer program serves as a proto-type for a future permanent model. Share your ideas on what this future program could look like by filling out a survey. The results will help the Royal BC Museum develop a proposal for a permanent Indigenous Arts Studio.