“SALISH AND COAST SALISH ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AT THE POINT”

OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025, 5-7PM

On Saturday, June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Sacred Rock Community Arts Society and the Point Artists-Run Centre launch a new exhibition featuring three Salish and Coast Salish Artists-in-Residence at The Point, Lydia Brown, Atheana Picha and Autumn Walkem, along with the work of other Indigenous artists from across Canada.

Curated by Nlaka’pamux artist Nadine Spence, the exhibit includes painted chests and boxes, ink on paper, woven blankets, carving and other original artworks. The Artist Residencies and the exhibition itself, says Spence, are about building relationships between two small, community-based arts and culture organizations from different Salish and Coast Salish territories.

The exhibition will also feature the artwork of Mike Alexander, Denni Spence, Tamara Archie, Deshawn Kennedy, Koa Raine Wilson and Victoria Buffalo Robe. Nadine has included never before seen ink quill on paper artwork of her late Nlaka’pamux father Roger Spence, a survivor of the St. George's Indian Residential School of Lytton BC across from the Stein Valley. All of the bentwood cedar chests, boxes and stands are made from Son and Father Matthew Gong and Peter Wayne Gong. Most of these featured artists are a part of the Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey (a project initiated by Spence) as contributing and supporting artists.

Admission is free to the opening reception at The Point Artist-Run Centre on June 21 (5-7PM, and the exhibition runs from June 22 to August 31, with admission by donation to Sacred Rock - We Are the Lands. 

For an interview with Curator and Artist Nadine Spence, please email: thesacredrock1@gmail.com or call 250 315-5850

Sacred Rock website: https://sacredrock.ca/

For an interview with PARC Artistic Director Stephen Vogler, please email svogler1@gmail.com or call 604 698-5482