[BCMA] Atklokem Press Release

Tue Aug 6 14:25:05 PDT 2019

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2019 **Lake Country*

*Atklokem*

*David Wilson     Mariel Belanger           Sheldon Louis    *

*Barb Marchand*

August 16th to September 29th

Opening Reception: Thursday, August 15th 6-8pm

*Atklokem:* A collaboration of contemporary Syilx Art brought together by
Okanagan Artist David Wilson: featuring the work of Barb Marchand, Mariel
Belanger, Sheldon Louis, and the Okanagan Indian Band Youth Group for this
Indigenous-focused exhibition that will encompass painting, mixed media,
sculpture, and performance. The exhibition runs August 16 – September 29.

   - *Atklokem is an Anglicized version of the Syilx word that describes
   the area of Winfield. The ward of Winfield sits in the heart of Lake
   Country, nestles between Wood Lake to  the east and Okanagan Lake to the
   west*

*David Wilson*

Early in my career, I learned through teachings and mentorship of Coast
Salish and Haida artists and later began an exploration of West Coast and
Plains First Nations’ art forms, with further studies in business at
Vancouver’s Langara College. My style of painting has developed through
exploring Interior Salish pictograph art forms, combining vibrant colours
and linear forms within a circular picture format.

The creative process happens through discussion and collaborative dialogue
with viewers: artistic style, techniques, interpretations and exchanging
stories or expressive ideas. Exhibitions are the most ideal times to engage
with others, to listen and explore artistic expression.

*Mariel Belanger*

Mariel Belanger is dedicated to contributing in the growth of
interdisciplinary arts as a method to engage Indigenous community,
language, culture, and act as a bridge to society telling stories of our
time. Recently graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Interdisciplinary and
Indigenous Studies, Mariel is a SSHRC, UBCO Aboriginal Fellowship and
Indian Brotherhood scholarship recipient. She was recently awarded
Outstanding Indigenous Graduate Student at the International Congress of
Qualitative Inquiry held in Champaigne-Urbana at the University of
Illinois. Mariel was nominated to the Canadian Association of Theatre
Research board as a graduate board member. As an artist scholar, her
research is about identity through the lens of Indigenous Ways of Knowing
and Being, Customary Law, Indigenous Feminism and Performance Theory,
exploring how cultural identity is rebuilt through oral history and
performance practice.

*Sheldon Louis*

I, Sheldon Louis am a member of the Okanagan Indian Band which is part of
the Syilx Nation. I am a multidisciplinary Syilx Artist. I sit on the Board
of Directors for the Arts Council of the North Okanagan. I was a recipient
of the First Peoples Cultural Council Emerging Artist Development Award for
2015. I mentored with Barb Marchand as a curator and visual artist.

*Barb Marchand*

As a respected artist and elder, Barb Marchand had long had an interest in
the history of her ancestors, their traditional language and the legends
which connected her to the landscape and its inhabitants. This has led her
to immerse herself in the study of the traditional Syilx language in an
effort to gain a better understanding of the stories and history of the
Okanagan First Nations people and in doing so, also her own history.

*Okanagan Indian Band Youth Group*

*Sheldon Louis:*

Youth can at times struggle to lasting connections due to lack of
mentorship and role models. By creating a public art piece in the community
the youth will be able to interact and form healthy and respectful
interactions through the arts. This Mural Project at the Lake Country Art
Gallery will allow the youth to engage with all levels of the community.
The visual art piece(s) will be inspired and rooted in the history and
traditional stories of the Syilx people. The design/image will be based
upon the tradition of Syilx history in the Lake Country area.

There will be public programming throughout the run of this exhibition
including artist talks and the unveiling of the Youth Mural Project.

Please check the gallery website for dates and times…
lakecountryartgallery.ca

*Upcoming Events:*

*Public Art Unveiling/Reception: *Saturday, August 10th, David Jacob
Harder’s Orb Sculpture

*Atklokem Opening reception:* Thursday, August 15th, 6-8pm

*Night Picnic:* Friday, August 16th, 6-10pm

*Media Contact:* Wanda Lock - curator tel: 250 864 5597 or 250 766 4873

email: wandalock at shaw.ca

-- 
www.lakecountryartgallery.ca

Summer Hours:
10am-4pm daily

10356A Bottom Wood Lake Rd
Lake Country, British Columbia
V4V 1T9

(250) 766 -1299
lakecountryartgallery at shaw.ca
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