It's a sight you don't often see. In front of the Egmont Heritage Centre last Monday, a native Sechelt carver, Arnold (kwatamus) Jones, dressed in ceremonial costume, was explaining to two Natives from Nunavut, artist Annie Aculiak and her husband Pierre, who were also dressed in hand crafted jackets, how his latest totem would look when it is finished.
A small group of Egmont residents gathered to hear how Jones will carve an eagle using modern and handmade tools on a massive donated cedar log and how the eagle will be perched atop a frog, his own clan animal.
This is the eighth totem for Jones, including his earliest one carved for St. Mary's Hospital in the '70s.
Egmont folks recalled what a big day it was for them when Jones finished a totem now standing at the Backeddy Pub. More than 500 people turned out for that totem raising.
To celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21, the Egmont Heritage Centre has mounted a show of original artwork by local Native artists that will run until June 30. Five of the artists were on hand at a reception to talk about their work.
Although Aculiak proudly represents Nunavut through her art, she lives part time in Sechelt. As well as the felt scenes on display at the art show, she also carves and does beadwork. The finest of her art has been presented to the RCMP and to Queen Elizabeth.
Jessica Casey is a Coast Salish cedar artist. Her recent work has taken on a new whimsical touch: she has woven images from folk tales into three dimensional work. Tiny figures in a woven cedar container called T'aal's Basket represent the story of the one who takes bad children away. In another more traditional piece, she uses white paper interwoven with cedar.
"It's the two different parts of me," she said.
Her brother, Russell Silvey of Egmont, displays his drawings, including a recent design that he created for his own wedding invitation. Casey wove a blanket and cedar hat to be used for her brother's wedding, and these items are on display, too. The siblings have worked on their art since their childhood, learning from their grandmother and uncle.
"We had no electricity at home until I was nine," said Casey. "We puttered around on our art."
Their nephew, Kyle Silvey, is a young artist from Campbell River who works contemporary street gear designs into his art.
Also on display is work by Sonja Stewart, a Nisga felt artist. She reproduces traditional designs taken from button blankets onto smaller wall hangings and seasonal decorations.
Jones also has his smaller carvings on display, but the celebration for his biggest piece will likely not take place until next year when the finished totem will be installed in front of the timbered building.
The Egmont Heritage Centre is located opposite the Skookumchuck trail entrance and can be reached by calling 604-883-9994.
