In the spirit of reconciliation, the Salish Weave Collection owned by the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District Indigenous education department is on public display for the first time.
The exhibit featuring Coast Salish artwork is on display at the Albion Community Centre (ACC) until October 18, 2024, as part of Culture Days, a nationwide celebration of arts and culture.
“This artwork travels around the district and can be signed out for exhibit by schools as requested,” said Janet Smith, teacher-librarian at c̓əsqənelə Elementary, where the collection is housed. “We were so pleased to be allowed to borrow it from the district.”
Since ACC and c̓əsqənelə Elementary are neighbours, she explained, it made sense to collaborate and encourage learning about culture and acts of reconciliation in this way.
The Salish Weave Collection features modern pieces highlighting current styles, techniques and subjects used by local Coast Salish artists. It also showcases themes rooted in culture, including nature, change, connectedness and cycles, that remain important to the artists.
“It means a lot to us to be able to share this exhibit with the community and showcase Indigenous art,” said Jen Baillie, recreation coordinator at the ACC.
Baillie noted the exhibit also supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 83, which speaks to the importance of collaborative projects and works between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists that contribute to the reconciliation process.
The exhibit opened on September 26, just before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Since then, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve heard comments from visitors that they have not seen Coast Salish art before and what a pleasure it is to be able to see it in their neighbourhood,” Baillie said.
c̓əsqənelə Elementary students will join the public in visiting the collection and learning about the Coast Salish art.
Smith hopes those who visit the exhibit will love the pieces as much as c̓əsqənelə Elementary students and staff.
“The artists behind each work have gifted us with a window into Coast Salish culture and for those of us who are not members of this Indigenous family, we should stop and take time to learn, appreciate and grow our understanding,” Smith said.
