A bright and airy studio showcasing shíshálh and other First Nations members’ weaving, jewelry, paintings and sculptures has opened in Sechelt by the waterfront.
Red Cedar Woman Weaving Studio owner Jessica Silvey will also be hosting regular workshops to teach interested members of the public how to weave baskets, hats and blankets from cedar and other traditional, sustainably sourced materials.
“This studio is the embodiment of a dream I had to provide a place to share my knowledge of traditional weaving with others, and to show and sell work by other talented First Nations people who are sometimes shy about exhibiting their art and crafts on their own,” Silvey, a shíshálh Nation member, said.
Silvey, born in Egmont, taught herself traditional weaving techniques when her children were young and learned how to harvest the materials and dyes for them from her elders. She is running one- and two-day weaving workshops for adults and children each weekend in July, with more planned for following months.
Also on display are stunning paintings by local artist Charlie Craigan, sculptures by Tony Paul and Deon Louie, jewelry by local artists, and baskets, handwoven Salish shawls and blankets, macramé and mobiles by Silvey herself.
The studio is located at Suite 1, Royal Terraces building, 5477 Wharf Ave. and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call 604-442-5834 or visit Red Cedar Woman on Facebook to register for workshops.
– Submitted by Ellen Adelberg
