Anishinabek artists shine at Nipissing First Nation Art Show
By Kelly Anne Smith
NIPISSING FIRST NATION– The warm weather had many art patrons out to Nbisiing Secondary School to shop for and appreciate authentic anishnaabe art by Anishinabek artists at the Nipissing First Nation 5th Annual Anishnaabe Art Show.
Artist Thaila Sarazin was raffling her untitled self-portrait painting for auction to fund her education in Herbology while she also studies in the Native Community Worker program at the Anishnabek Education Institute. The artist is offering 100 chances at becoming the paintings new owner, if you can get the painting by her mother Katherine Sarazin. Katherine was close by offering regalia items, traditional medicines and dolls and wonderfully handcrafted moccasins. Artist Gerry McComb displayed prints, his stunning paintings and hand drums.
Russell Noganosh presented colourful prints of herons evoking feelings of renewal and spring. Sharing a table was Sherri Dunstan, a beader for 30 years, exhibiting lovely earrings and wooden hair pieces.
Nipissing First Nation bead artist Cheryl Beaucage of Daab-Kwe creations was busy beading more earrings for sale.
Robin McKenzie is an Aboriginal textile artist. She talked about creating fabric paintings for three years. “I started out with drum bags. A woman saw one at a pow wow. She didn’t have a drum but loved the design so she asked me to make one to hang on her wall. I did it up and stretched it over the canvas. I just loved it how it turned out. She loved it, so I kept going with it. And that’s how it started.” Robin’s husband Andy is a talented beader with detailed work available.
Dancer and artist Dan Commanda exhibited a variety of handcrafted hand drums, earrings, bracelets and a spectacular head-dress.
Artist Christine Cameron showed her oil paintings, brilliant with colour and detail. She captures the powerful of the animal world in serene moments within their surroundings. Cameron is excited for the September start to her 3rd year at Nipissing University in Fine Arts. Intent on a four-year degree, she is after the expertise, training, and studio time. “Nipissing university has been really good at teaching me the technical aspects of painting.” Cameron specializes in portraiture. Paul Kelly, the former Dean of the Fine Arts program at Nipissing, taught Cameron during her first two years at Nipissing University. “He does large scale paintings. He’s one of my major influences. He is the most instrumental in the painting I do now.”
Lorraine Mallinson was working on her hummingbird designs for beading on mittens. She handcrafted small medicine pouches, fur hats and beautifully made mitts of moose and fox which were sheared beaver lined.
Brenda Whiteduck offered a variety of artisan jewellery, smudge feathers, and regalia supplies. Her daughter Whitney is a member of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and Sheguaindah First Nations and a painter from Ottawa. She travels with her mother to sell their art at pow wow and festival events.
Reno Couchie has been enjoying success with his Red Road T-Shirts art. He says he started out with heat-transfers applied with a heat press. He now produces silk-screen t-shirt art. “We went from there to this. It’s called sublimation and put on with heat. They are like golf shirts. I just can’t believe how great they look. I think they are amazing.”
Don Chrétien had many art lovers stopping to admire his woodland-style expression paintings rich in colour. Chrétien concentrates on Ojibway clans and culture.
Performing Artists including Rambling Fever; Keith McLeod; NBIFC Fiddlers; Migizi Country; The Drive; Debbie Favreau and Jennifer Chevrier entertained artists and art-lovers during the 5th Annual NFN Art Show.