SUBMITTED BY SALT SPRING PUBLIC LIBRARY
On Sept. 6 the Salt Spring Island Public Library celebrated the opening of Resurgence, an Indigenous art show. The show is comprised of work by 14 Indigenous artists aged 14 to 71, who are residents of Salt Spring Island and from First Nations across Turtle Island.
Organized and curated by library Indigenous coordinator Caroline Dick, Resurgence is a reflection of the joy of creating an Indigenous community on Salt Spring while living in diaspora.
“This is the first time I’ve been represented in an art show, and I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of this show with so many talented members of our Indigenous community here on the island,” said Christine Welsh, Métis artist and award-winning filmmaker. “I didn’t grow up with beading. Though my Métis grandmothers were skilled beadworkers, that tradition wasn’t handed down in my family. I only learned to do traditional Métis floral beadwork quite recently, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I now create beaded pieces for my family, like the beaded jean jacket that I made for my daughter-in-law Jessica that’s in the show. I still have so much to learn, but I like to think that in my own small way I’m honouring those ancestor grandmothers.”
Resurgence is a show that is unprecedented on Salt Spring. This is the first exhibition focusing solely on Indigenous residents of the island, as well as the only time Salt Spring has had so many Indigenous artists showing their work in a single exhibition. The show includes sculpture, paintings, prints, textiles and jewellery, with many pieces for sale.
Resurgence runs until Sept. 28 and is viewable from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main display case in the lobby as well as in the program room when it is not in use for events.
Artists represented in Resurgence: Caroline Dick (Tahltan), Autumn Elworthy (Anishinaabe/Métis), Willow Elworthy (Anishinaabe/Métis), Marilyn Fortinakis (Anishinaabe), Krysta Furiosa (Anishinaabe), Sheena Gering (Métis), Quentin Harris (Secwepemc), Kitaay Bizhikikwe/Amanda Myers (Anishinaabe), Klaahiidaa/Greg Dennis Sr., Charlene Linnell (Musqueam), Eartha Linnell (Musqueam), Laura Mulks-Elworthy (Anishinaabe/Métis), Christine Welsh (Métis) and Sherry Leigh Williams (Métis).