Fall Art Exhibition (2020)
The Eagle Spirits of the Great Waters invited the community to a free exhibit of Indigenous art at the Small Arms Inspection Building from October 17th to November 7th.
Featuring The Work of:
Donald Chrétien
The unique style and impact of Aboriginal fine artist Donald Chrétien springs from his combined passion for colour and woodland-style expression. His ongoing exploration of his heritage has him concentrating on distinct features of Ojibwe clan’s acrylic on canvas.
(Sturgeon and Between Worlds, Acrylic on canvas 40×30)
Keitha Keeshig-Tobias Biizindam
Inspired by the connectedness of spirit between natures of the indigenous way of life, the images/icons/emblems of indigenous culture, and depicting her emotions relating to family/history/current affair and us.
Keitha is a very versatile modern artist residing in the city she spent her childhood in; now owning her own studio/retail-space. She comes from the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, Anishnaabe from Neyaashiinigamiing Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and grew up in Toronto.
Lynn Taylor
Born and raised in Toronto, Lynn has resided in Lakeview and Mississauga for over 25 years. Although she traveled to see the world from different perspectives, she is mostly influenced by her deep appreciation of nature and growing knowledge of her indigenous background from Oneida of The Thames reserve in Ontario (Turtle Clan).
“I would like to see the integration of Indigenous arts into non-indigenous communities so we can all learn from each other.”
Marissa Groulx
Northern Ontario Canada based Ojibway versatile artist/designer, Marissa Groulx, is a member of Sagamok Anishnawbek, next to Lake Huron. She is a part of the 3 fires people. The love for art has always brought her to cross other disciplines, such as Fashion, Fine Arts, and Sustainability.
Marissa was one of the first in her family to pursue their artistic and creative ways as a career. She is a Fashion Design Graduate, as well as recent graduate with her Bachelor of Commerce Degree. Marissa opened the doors this year, to allow design, workshops, and space to grow as an Indigenous businesswoman and artist.
Ashley Macdonald, Catherine Beaver, Keelan Patriquin – Sheridan College
A collaboration between Sheridan Bachelor of Craft and Design (Furniture), Small Arms Society – CreativeHub 1352, Indigenous Youth and Codesign; this community partnership saw Sheridan furniture students and Indigenous Youth design and fabricate pieces for a Community Living Room within the Small Arms Inspection Building (SAIB).
The SAIB is situated on territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the traditional homeland of the Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee nations. Inspired by the space surrounding and within the Small Arms Inspection Building, Ashley, Catherine and Keelan looked to their connection to the land.
Understanding the important role of women in the history of this place, the artists identified the pine seed emerging as a strong symbol for representing voice, women and the integration of the natural place within this built environment. The pine seed form used to create the coat hooks provides a function but also represents healing, and women’s wisdom.
Me, YOU & US – Youth
This community art project was first created in 2016 with the vision of community artist Suellen Evoy-Oozeer and heartfelt assistance of Susan Angel Bressette of the Golden Eagle Elders’ Lodge of KSPFN.
It brought people together from the reserve and the surrounding area, to create compassion and understanding. Due to the positive impact of Me, You & Us in Kettle & Stony Point First Nation (KSPFN) and surrounding area the community art program was expanded to focus on Youth 15-29 years of age.
Me, You & Us – Youth was a three-day workshop which included the same components as the original program: art, intuition, meditation, smudging, tears, laughter and the magic of sharing circle. Art and community were used to connect youth to each other, and their own creative source.
The art they created was founded in exploring intuition. The students were instructed using various techniques to try to access their own unique creative source, without judgment, or predetermined ideas. The art was produced from the participants own spontaneous individual creativity. The completion of the 3-day workshop resulted in reports of new friendships, improved confidence and a greater sense of well-being.
Sawmill Sid
Run by Sidney and Sheila Gendron, Sawmill Sid is Canada’s first Tree and Wood Recovery Center and operates out of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authorities. The goal of the project is to recover and repurpose trees felled due to storms, disease, and development, and to repurpose them into high-value wood products, capturing tonnes of carbon in the years to come. Offering portable and on-site sawmilling services, the project connects with municipalities, developers, artisans, and local wood remanufacturing companies. Sawmill Sid not only conserves trees, but aims to build sustainable communities by donating wood and raising awareness.