Coast Mountain News Thursday, August 27, 2015
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Vol. 31 | No. 16 Thursday, August 27, 2015
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Nuxalk carver Alvin Mack explains the "Transformation of Smaoan" story depicted on a yellow cedar talking pole. Nanaimo visitors Tom Bates, Harry Hill, Lorraine Bates and Lorraine Hill (left to right) were among a number of tourists attending the August 19 Artists Exhibition on the lawn at Copper Sun Gallery (housed in the former RCMP station on the Townsite). The exhibition, the first of its kind ever in Bella Coola, exceeded the planners' expectations, and similar events are being considered for next summer.
Ernest Hall photo
Copper Sun Gallery Hosts “First-Ever” Nuxalk Artists Exhibition BY ERNEST HALL Ten Nuxalk artists and crafters along with an appreciative crowd of locals and visitors came together August 19 on the lawn outside Copper Sun Gallery for a “firstever” Nuxalk Artists’ Exhibition. Copper Sun Journeys and Gallery opened in the former RCMP station in June as the firstever gallery operated by the Nuxalk community under the auspices of the Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC). And according to carver and jewelry engraver Alvin Mack, the August
19 exhibition is the first time ever that a group of Nuxalk artists and crafters have brought their creations and creativity together in a public showing. “This has never happened before,” he said, noting that “artists spend a lot of time alone.” The outdoor venue, on the lawn under tents was “great” he said. “I’m out here meeting with other artists. If I wasn’t here, I’d be in my carving shed.” Mack and nine others, carvers Lyle Mack, Reuben Mack, Sesyaz Saunders, and Clyde
Young, along with painter Sheldon Tallio, silver engraver Troy Anderson, and cedar weavers Heather Elliott, Tabitha Schooner, and Bonnie Siwallace, sat at tables displaying their work, giving demonstrations, and telling stories. Partway through the afternoon, the gathering was entertained by Nuxalk singers Lance and Chris Nelson, Sheldon Tallio, and Heather Elliott. The afternoon was topped off by a salmon dinner available from the St’ala (Inner Bark) Food Truck, now in its second
summer of operation by Nola Mack. Chris Nelson, Nuxalk culturist and Special Projects Coordinator for NDC, was pleased with the event and would like to see more such events in the future – events involving more performing both by Nuxalk performers and by others in the Valley community. Randy Hart, CEO of NDC, says he was “really thrilled” with the event and with the way the Copper Sun venture has materialized this summer. Responses from the artists involved in the Exhibition were “very
positive,” Hart says, and plans are under way for the future of Copper Sun. He views the past season as a “training and learning year,” noting that Copper Sun and Bella Coola Valley Tourism (BCVT), whose Visitor Information Booth shared the former RCMP station with the Gallery, each employed a Nuxalk student, and Copper Sun Journeys trained a new guide, Clyde Young – all gaining valuable work experience while providing an opportunity for the management team to gain experience with a new
venture. “It was a wonderful afternoon,” said Gallery Supervisor Caitlin Thompson. “It’s really exciting to get Nuxalk artists together so that people have a chance to see how this art is created and hear the stories that accompany it.” Now that the two summer students, Danika Nolie and Carrigan Tallio, have departed for their studies, hours at Copper Sun will be reduced to Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment. SEE 'GALLERY' ON PAGE 3
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