Woodland Cultural Centre's 49th Indigenous Art Opening

(Note: Non-affiliated links)

​Saturday Aug. 3, 2024, the Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) in Brantford, ON, held their 49th Indigenous Art Opening Reception that was well attended. “Established in 1975, this is one of the longest-running multimedia exhibitions in Canada that provides Indigenous artists an opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in a fine art gallery setting.” Aside from aspiring artists, the annual exhibition also features senior artists from all over turtle island (the continent of North America.)

Curator, Patricia Deadman, (former Directory and Curator at the Woodstock Art Gallery) opened the ceremony and welcomed George Doxtater, Language Assistant Manager who cited the fifteen-minute greeting.

Patricia Deadman, Woodland Cultural Centre's Curator

Amos Key Jr., Board Director of WCC, brought welcoming remarks on behalf of the WCC’s Board of Directors and thanked both staff and volunteers at WCC. Patricia stated that without COVID 19, this year would have marked the 50th anniversary of the Art Exhibition. She explained how the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., in Winnipeg, Manitoba had the Indian Group of Seven who were denied access to art galleries in Canada.
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Established in the early 1970s, “the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. (PNIAI) was one of the first independently organized, self-managed Indigenous artists’ collectives and cultural advocacy groups in Canada. The consisted of seven independent Indigenous painters: Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez.” Patricia cited how WCC was build upon those foundations. 

The judges this year consisted of Rachelle Dickenson, Senior Curator at Ottawa Art Gallery, whom Patricia met working there, David M. General, Six Nations artist, and Maxine Noel from Stratford, ON. According to Patricia, the judges had a daunting task choosing from the 133 entries from 64 artists to eventually select 39 artists. The theme this is year is the political and cultural issues Indigenous artists face within North America and within their work. Patricia then informed the audience they could check out the gallery where the various displays were exhibited along with the artists.

Artists Raechel Wastesicoot & Alex Jacobs-Blum

I took the opportunity to interview a few artists like Raechel Wastesicoot from Tyendinaga, Mohawk Territory near Bellville, ON who grew up in Oshawa, ON. She works with different art forms like beadwork and has been an artist her whole life since she was for four years old. This is Raechel’s first exhibition with WCC where she entered her Indigenous beadwork piece “Kenatanonwaks.” ​

Raechel Wastesicoot's beautiful beadwork

This talented young woman held her debut exhibition entitled, “Kenatentas,” that displayed twelve beaded artworks along with her writings, at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) from Jan. 27th to June 9, 2024. ​Raechel works at The Nature Conservancy of Canada as the Indigenous Engagement and Conservation Manager.

Alex Jacobs-Blum is from the Cayuga Wolf Clan from Six Nations who was born and raised in Hamilton, ON, who, like Raechel, has been an artist her whole life. At 7 years old, Alex’s dad showed her first contemporary photography. At 15, she worked with clay, wood and natural materials. Alex summitted three photographic works in a series, all three in different forms, illustrating how as individuals our bodies are interconnected with the land in relation with own self. “Gestures Woven by Ancestors,” “Silent Echoes of Luner Birth,” and “Asterial Awakenings.”

Alex Jacobs-Blum in front of her photographic series

This was Alex’s third or fourth time submitting to this exhibition, last time was in 2020. Bothe her mother Mary Jacobs and sister-in-law Samantha Jacobs, also had their beadworks exhibited. Alex had a sold-out exhibition at the Hamilton Art Gallery from Feb. 10 to May 19, 2024, and has another exhibition in Sept. as the artist in residence. 

Emma Anderson's (know as The Crafty Killjoy) passion is primarily working with beads which she took up in 2017. This was Emma’s first-time submitting art to this exhibition. Her beaded earrings were modelled after the Dish With One Spoon wampum belt. 

​A sculpture working with different modalities and known globally for his work, Eric G. Martin is a self-taught professional artist. Originally from Six Nations, Eric and his family moved to Kitchener, ON six years ago. He mainly works with Brazilian soapstone. He had two sculptures submitted to the exhibition this year: “Strawberry Moon” made from Chinese soapstone and “Raindance” made from Brazilian steatite (soapstone). 

Eric Martin's "Strawberry Moon" sculpture

Sculpturer, Eric Martin looks at his artwork "Rain Dance"

Eric stated he likes to choose any kind of stone and has even worked with opal. Eric credits another artist, Ryan Sandy for inspiring him. Eric and Ryan knew each other at school and reconnected years later when Ryan gave Eric a push towards school. Now, Eric has more time to enjoy doing art pieces for exhibitions rather than having to sell them. Eric’s sculptures can be purchased from the Native Art Gallery in Oakville and from the gift store at Woodland Cultural Centre. His art can be found worldwide in both private and public collections including at the permanent viewing at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, ON.
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A Cayuga Master Artist, Ryan Sandy got involved in the arts at 7, a family affair. “My uncle was a premiere craver from Six Nations, so was my dad, uncles and cousins,” Ryan cited. “I grew up with my family singing songs and craving" which he developed a passion. Ryan took a long break when he had a family. Ryan also submitted two sculptures in this year’s exhibition: “The Elder Brothers” and “The Younger Brothers” both done in soapstone.

Ryan’s art work is displayed at Upper Canada Native Art Gallery located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON and in the permanent collection at the Royal Ontario Museum.
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Both artists and the audience regrouped to listen to the closing ceremony by George Doxtater. Curator Patricia Deadman thanked the audience for coming and informed them of other events happening at Woodland Cultural Centre.

Cayuga Master Artist, Ryan Sandy with his beautiful family

Visit the Woodland Cultural Centre and vote for your favorite art piece in the 49th Annual Juried Exhibition where you can also purchase pieces. Voting ends on Friday, September 30th and on Friday, October 4th, 2024, the winning artist will be announced. 
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Related Links:
The Indian Group of Seven and the birth of the Woodlands School of Art (native-art-in-canada.com)
Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., or the “Indian Group of Seven” | The Canadian Encyclopedia
The National Gallery of Canada
Portage College Museum | Discover Rich Cultural History
First Nations Art | McMichael Canadian Art Collection

All pictures taken by Heather A. Rennalls.