Indigenous art exhibition opens at Lynnwood Arts

‘Common Threads,’ one of the pieces in the Tewanhotonkwas: We Open Doors art exhibition, was prepared by Savannah Skye-Smith in collaboration with Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board Elementary and Secondary School students. 

By Lisa Timpf

Advocate Contributor

A multi-layered art exhibition including works by local Indigenous artists and collaborative pieces created with students kicked off at Lynnwood Arts on May 15.

Titled “Tewanhotonkwas: We Open Doors,” the exhibition is the fourth annual Indigenous Art Show, and the event “keeps growing,” according to Chris Rait, Arts Consultant for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. 

As part of the program leading up to the art show, the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board rented the back rooms of the Lynnwood Arts Centre, then bussed students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to Lynnwood to participate in workshops led by Indigenous artists. Each of the participating artists conducted four workshops.

“One special thing about this art exhibit is that the students co-create with the artist,” Rait said. “They do a collaborative piece.”

Some of the displays include the contributions of over 100 students.

Dallas Squire, an artist whose workshops focus on traditional Indigenous games, said that he found the workshop participants enthusiastic.

“We discuss who the Six Nations are, and how the games are connected to culture. It’s very interactive.”

Squire noted that many of the students “already know quite a bit” about Indigenous culture. He added that the response from the students is “overwhelmingly positive - they don’t want to leave. When you combine games with education, it’s a great combination.”

In Squire’s workshops, the students made “peach pit” games as well as bone-and-toggle games. Squire noted that these games show you don’t need a screen or a computer to have fun. Bone-and-toggle devices created by students were part of the art display. Student-created works in other sections of the exhibition included beadwork, ribbon skirts, and paintings.

The exhibition opening included a land acknowledgement and a traditional thanksgiving address.

Norfolk Councillor Doug Brunton, offering greetings on behalf of the County, noted that the exhibition was “more than an art showcase - it’s an opportunity to honour the voices of Indigenous artists.”

Kevin Greco, Superintendent of Education for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board, said that the We Open Doors exhibition is aligned with efforts to provide a welcoming, affirmative, and inclusive environment that honours Indigenous voices. He thanked Lynnwood Arts for their ongoing partnership and hospitality, and thanked “the artists who make this possible.”

A representative from RBC, one of the program’s sponsors, also offered a welcome to event guests.

The evening’s agenda included performances by the Six Nations Women Singers and Hoop Dancer Ascension Harjo.

In addition to Dallas Squire, Indigenous artists participating in the workshops and exhibition included Shayde Sandy, whose works focus on identity and experience, stone carver Eric Martin, beading artist Savannah Skye-Smith, mixed media artist Michael Barber, and seamstress and beading artist Lindsay Martin.

There was also a silent auction, with proceeds going to ArtsCan Circle to assist in providing musical instruments and art supplies to Indigenous youth in remote communities.

The exhibition displays pieces by the individual Indigenous artists as well as collaborative works made with students who attended the workshops. The exhibition is wide-ranging, including sculptures, dream catchers, ribbon skirts, beadwork, paintings, and traditional games made from natural materials. There are even hands-on elements, as visitors are invited to try out bone-and-toggle and “peach pit” games. 

The We Open Doors exhibition runs until Sept. 13 at Lynnwood Arts, 21 Lynnwood Avenue, Simcoe.