SIMCOE Lynnwood Arts Center has officially opened its doors with the launch of the exhibit Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together.
Created in partnership with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and with support from Peace Hills Trust, the exhibit, which closes on June 30, features five Indigenous artists: Michael Barber, Tristyn Day, Julie Mallon, Nikki Shawana and Michael Green.
In the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, the project is shining a light on artists who are creating new and vibrant works while, at the same time, honoring the traditions of their ancestors, said Lynnwood director Kim Shippey.
“The exhibition features a variety of art disciplines and helps to foster the building of student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect,” said Shippey.
Throughout June, more than 650 students from across Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk will tour Lynnwood and participate in workshops conducted by the participating artists who will “share their process, wisdom and culture.”
Students will paint spirit animals from the Seven Grandfather Teachings, learn hoop dancing and create dream catchers.
“Lynnwood is thrilled to showcase these five outstanding Indigenous artists,” said Shippey. “The opportunity for students to participate in workshops with the artists provides a lasting opportunity to open their minds and gain a better understanding of Indigenous teachings and traditions.
“We are so excited to officially open our doors and I cannot think of a more fitting exhibit for this revitalization of Lynnwood than the Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together exhibit.”
In March, Lynnwood, at 21 Lynnwood Ave. in Simcoe, reopened after being closed for more than two years. The Lynnwood board took over operations of the arts center from Norfolk County last year and partnered with the county to re-open.
“This project gives us an opportunity to experience how the genesis of an idea grows, manifests and engages artists and the community (at-large) on a journey of renewal and restoration….together,” Lynnwood board chair Brendalee Engelhardt said at the exhibit’s opening earlier this month.
“What is Lynnwood? This space – this place – and the activity that takes place here – has had many rebirths. Our ancestors recognized the importance of preserving our sense of place – of remembering who we are and how we got to where we’re at as a community and of providing a space for our creative spirit to express, flourish and nurture our communal growth.”
The artists participating in Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together are:
• Nikki Shawana – A powwow dancer, hoop dancer, singer and crafts person from the Odawa Nation (Anishinaabe) Eagle clan, Shawana’s roots are from Wiikwemkoong, Manitoulin Island. She is currently living in Norfolk County. Shawana started powwow dancing at an early age as a way to stay connected with her Anishinaabe culture while growing up in an urban setting. For the past 15 years, she has been educating others about Indigenous culture through performances, workshops, classes and speaking engagements at schools and special events.
• Michael Barber – An Upper Mohawk artist from Port Dover, Barber’s works deal with “examination of dark realities that are rarely spoken.” Barber says his paintings “reflect the layers that hide or protect our past, things we cherish, and the things we’d love to forget.” He paints on mahogany plywood and uses a mix media approach. Resist techniques are used with the paint application. Gouging and scratching are done with various tools to scrape the work, exposing earlier layers “to create a sense of time.” Images are applied to the work by using a printing technique and manipulating the cut after various applications.
• Tristyn Day – An Oji-Cree artist from Deer Lake First Nations, Day grew up in a small town in Northern Ontario. “My reservation is remote and fly-in only, except for the ice roads in the winter,” said Day. “My parents and grandparents are survivors of residential schools and Indigenous day schools. This caused generational trauma and addiction for my family. Day says crafting and art is part of her healing and a way to stay connected to her heritage.
• Michael Green – Born on Sagamok First Nations, Green is Ojibwe living in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. After years of living with addiction, he celebrates and takes pride in his path to sobriety, using the lessons of his failures to create new paths to success. Green says he has found support and inspiration in his heritage and the teachings. He picked up his paintbrush again at age 39 and says he uses his art as therapy.
• Julie Mallon — Nangoonhs Kwe is Mallon’s Anishnaabe noozwin, the name bestowed upon her by an elder from her home territory of Wiikwemkoong. It translates to Star Woman. Though born and raised off “the rez,” she finds “that beading helps connect me to my culture” and has “filled my creativity for the past number of years.” Mallon said she loves that the medium helps her create so many different objects ranging from keychains to earrings to art pieces.
In addition to new the exhibit, Lynnwood Arts will present summer camp programs, with support from the Rotary Club of Simcoe, throughout July and August.
In the fall, Lynnwood’s Artist Professional Development Workshop Series, presented by the RBC Foundation and the New Horizons for Seniors Program, will provide workshops from September to November in business basics, financial literacy, grant writing, marketing and social networking skills.
Visit www.lynnwoodarts.ca for details on programs and events.
