Indigenous Art in Cultural Spaces: A Round Table Discussion (16+ years)
Join artists, curators, and supporters of the exhibition, Downstream Where the Waters Mix. Discuss the featured works and reflect on historic and working relationships between Indigenous artists and museums, galleries, and cultural centres. Light refreshments provided.
Curated by lead visionary artist in the New Westminster Museum, Nadine Spence, Downstream Where the Waters Mix is a season of Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey. The project connects artists and Indigenous communities across B.C. through culture, arts and ceremony to restore relationships between generations with the water, lands and wild salmon. Featuring bentwood chests and boxes, woven blankets, carving, art, and regalia, this exhibition focuses on personal, family, and community healing journeys in a safe and respectful space that does not oppress the truth and realities of Indigenous Peoples of the past or in the present day.
Please join a gathering of artists, curators, and supporters of Downstream Where the Waters Mix to discuss:
-The unique practice, work, and perspective of each speaking artist.
-Historic and working relationships between Indigenous artists and museums, galleries, and cultural centres.
-Meaning and impact of featuring Indigenous art in cultural spaces.
-Historic and present-day role of museums in documenting community, identity, and history, including within the New Westminster context.
At this gathering, consider a larger goal to improve relationships between Indigenous artists, culture carriers, knowledge keepers, peoples of the lands, and those organizations or institutions who feature them. What and who is truly required to improve these relationships? The group will also think about the future of Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey as living and breathing art and history.
Listen, ask questions, meet the artists, and visit the exhibition to contextualize the discussion.
| Speakers | Facilitators & Supporters |
| Carrielynn Victor, Artist | Nadine Spence, Artist and Exhibition Curator |
| Atheana Picha, Artist | Michelle Taylor, City Curator |
| Rita Wong, Artist | Rebeca Salas, City Heritage Programs Coordinator |
| Ronnie Dean Harris, Artist |