2008 BC CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS FOR ABORIGINAL ART

An independent jury panel selects the recipients of the BC Creative Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art. The 2008 jury members are: Stan Bevan of Terrace, instructor and program director for the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, Northwest Community College: Rose Spahan of Vancouver, artist and curator; Cathi Charles Wherry of Brentwood Bay, arts program co-ordinator, First Peoples’ Heritage, Language & Culture Council; and Bill McLennan of Vancouver, curator, Pacific Northwest, UBC Museum of Anthropology. Dr. Robert Belton, dean of creative and critical studies at UBC Okanagan, was the non-voting chair of the panel.

Bruce Alfred, Kwak waka’wakw, Namgis

Alert Bay, B.C.

The striking designs and meticulous bending, carving and painting techniques reflect the strong influence of Bruce Alfred’s cultural roots. Bruce specializes in traditional masks, poles, rattles and bentwood boxes. His work is showcased in numerous private collections and has been exhibited at the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Museum of Anthropology. Bruce has been part of a team of artists who rebuilt the Alert Bay Big House and who created a Northwest Coast village in the Netherlands.

Reg Davidson, Haida

Old Masset, B.C.

Reg Davidson’s work as a carver exemplifies the highest standards of technical expertise and innovation. He creates unique large and small cedar sculptures, carved masks, large poles and helmets as well as silk-screen prints, gold and silver jewelry, and painted drums. As a dancer, Reg brings his personal experience to the carving of his masks. He is recognized internationally having participated in many exhibitions, both in private galleries and public exhibitions.

Charles Elliott, Coast Salish, Tsartlip

Brentwood Bay, B.C.

Charles Elliott creates work of the highest calibre, that reflects his personal style and is characterized by the Salish art discipline. He is a master carver whose work spans bowls, masks, doors, talking sticks, house posts and totem poles. Among his many commissions are a 28-foot totem pole for the University of Victoria, a 15-foot pole for Otaki, Japan, a Queen’s Baton Design and Gold Medal design for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. He is exhibited widely locally and internationally.

Debra Sparrow, Coast Salish, Musqueam

Vancouver, B.C.

Debra Sparrow’s beautiful weavings are based on the ancient traditions of the Coast Salish. As an artist and researcher, Debra creates wearable ceremonial art in the form of blankets, robes and dresses and also designs clothing with a Coast Salish texture and pattern that is fashionable and contemporary. Her commissions are found around North America including in many museums, galleries, and private collections. Most recently, Debra was commissioned to create two wearable blankets for the UBC Faculty of Education’s 75^th anniversary.

Daniel Tom, St’at’imc Nation, Seton Lake Band

Barriere, B.C.

Daniel Tom blends traditional and contemporary ideas and materials. He works with wood, natural materials from the wilderness, salvaged materials and discarded technology, resulting in his series of display weapons entitled “Tribal Connections”. This series honours animals and First Nations tribes and represents powerful statements about the inextricable linkages between humans, animals, and their environment, their struggles and the balance and perspective required for survival. Daniel’s work was recently displayed at the Kamloops Art Gallery.


Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Nora Newlands Executive Director BC Achievement Foundation 604 261-3348

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