What: First Nations, Inuit and Métis Art Show and Sale
When: Monday through Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (opening gala is Monday from noon to 4 p.m.)
Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney
Information: 250-656-0275 or marywinspear.ca
A First Nations, Inuit and Métis art show at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre could not be better timed, given the special guest set to appear at the show’s opening gala.
The annual event, held on the traditional Coast Salish territory of the WSANEC people, enters its eighth year Monday with an appearance by Buffy Sainte-Marie, who is performing concerts at the centre’s main theatre on Sunday and Monday.
Sainte-Marie, who was born on a Cree reserve in the Qu’Appelle Valley of Saskatchewan, is an in-demand performer.
Her concerts at Mary Winspear Centre have both sold out in advance, while her previous show at the same venue in 2015 also sold out ahead of time.
Sainte-Marie’s schedule includes a mixture of concerts and speaking engagements — she is a high-profile champion of First Nations both in the U.S. (where she lives) and Canada.
She is touring to support her latest record, 2015’s Power in the Blood, which has won raves worldwide.
The album won the 2015 Polaris Music Prize, and two Juno Awards in 2016, for aboriginal album of the year and contemporary roots album of the year.
More than 40 artists representing 20 First Nations are showcasing their work at the month-long art show, in media ranging from carving, textiles, painting and pottery to jewelry, weaving and more. “It is a showcase for each artist’s heritage,” said show helper Charlene George of the T’Sou-ke Nation, who is also showcasing her work.
“It’s a very enriching exhibit, not only for the eye candy of the art but also for the stories that they tell.”
Some of the art — including one piece that addresses the scores of missing and murdered indigenous women — has political overtones, which is an important part of the conversation, George said.
The art being showcased includes several hundred pieces, the majority of which are for sale, ranging in price from $10 to several hundred dollars, George said.
“There’s a number of mediums by a lot of amazing artists the community or the public don’t generally know or see. There are some really original pieces. It’s a very beautiful, eclectic show.”