Artshow 10

Carving by Robin Mclean, who will showcase at the Dakota Tipi Art Show

Featuring work by renowned BC carver Robin Mclean and nationally known Aboriginal artist Clemence Wescoupe, The Dakota Tipi Art Show is coming up at the end of the month! It's being modelled after the Long Plain Art Show held last month, which was a big success according to organizer Micheline Berard. "Portage really supported it, and everyone picked up on the story. So much good came out of that one show, lots of art was sold... orders were made, people were commissioned that day." She explains the show was the first of its kind on Long Plain. She decided to organize the event after getting to know the students at the Long Plain School, through teaching art classes there for 2 years. That's when it became important for her to give the artists from the community a chance to showcase their work. Micheline says many people from Portage attended, and there was even a $500 scholarship awarded by a member of the public to a young 12 year old artist towards further art supplies, as a way to encourage her art.

The Dakota Tipi Art Show is being held in conjunction with the Dakota Tipi Health fair at the Dakota Tipi Gaming Centre on March 28th. Some of the professional artists showcasing will be painters Clemence Wescoupe and Linus Woods, and carver Robin Mclean. But it won't only be painters and sculptors being featured, this Art Show will also showcase jewellery, bead work and more. Micheline stresses anyone can show art in any form of expression, including pottery, poetry, dance, and drumming. All proceeds from every sale go directly to the artist(s) involved.

Sandy Bay is next on her list. If she had her way, Micheline says she'd like to visit all the reserves in the area. "...and if there is an end, I want to have a huge show, and showcase all the wonderful artists around here". She explains, "So many people are doing so many different things, with no place to really showcase."