Postcard from Alert Bay
June 16, 2017
Gilakas’la – This is welcome in Kwakwala, and this is how I have felt on Cormorant Island, Land of the ‘Namgis First Nation, The Village of Alert Bay and home of the Orca. Water and mountains surround me, and coming from Winnipeg, MB, every day I am astounded by my surroundings. Just yesterday I saw a pod of orcas!
The mobile art studio is parked along the boardwalk by the water in the Village of Alert Bay, and with the graciousness of the residents, I haul my art supplies from location to location. On the weekend I have been situated at the Art Loft, a community run art gallery and workshop space, right in the harbor. Here, tourists, locals, and the young and old have dropped in to make art with me. My other visits have included after school programs at the Rec Centre, Amlilas Daycare, Lifeskills, and Girls Group at ‘Namgis Community Services, and a visit to the hospital to make art with the extended care patients. My last stop will be on Aboriginal Day at the T’lisalagi’lakw School.
It has been an amazing visit on my first stop of the ART EXPRESS’D tour. I will cherish all the friends and art that has been made and will carry it with me as I head to my next location. I hope to share the uniqueness of Alert Bay with the rest of Canada!