SHESHEGWANING—There is definitely no shortage of talented artists in the community of Sheshegwaning First Nation. And many of the talented artists had their works displayed at the first ever art showcase held in the community.
“We want to encourage our artists to come forwards,” Caeley J. McLean Genereux, community support worker at the Sheshegwaning Health Centre told The Expositor last week.
“We wanted to honour, recognize and include as many of the artists in the community as we could,” said Ms. McLean Genereux. “And encourage them to be proud of their work.”
The art showcase event was held May 6-7 in Sheshegwaning. “Actually, we had about 13 artists that applied to our website call and applied to the Sheshegwaning Art Community,” continued Ms. McLean Genereux. “We posted their pictures and biography online and St. Joseph’s (elementary school) held its own art showcase on May 5, so I went over there and recruited their work and the rest of the classes’ artwork as well.”
Among the artists who took part included three off-reserve members, J’Offre (Joffre Perreault), Annette Cada, Larry (Lawrence Wayne O’Connor) and eight on reserve members including Kiara McLean Genereux, Jan’s Bright Ideas (Janice Cada), Nicole Bush, Sandra Sampson, Deanna Sampson, Kingsley Roy, Luke Wabegijik and Kathleen Malley.
“I also applied because I am also an artist in this community known as Ozawa Giniw Kwe Arts,” said Ms. McLean Genereux.
One non-Indigenous artist who lives in and grew up in the community was included: Emily Savage.
The artists who brought art for the showcase included Anita Angel, Jeremy Roberts, Adeline Sampson, Sabastian Malley, Verna Hardwick and the St. Joseph’s Anishinabek School students. “A special shout out has to go to London Shogga for submitting more artwork outside of her classes and volunteering some of her time, and Tristen Jacko who also volunteered some of his time,” said Ms. McLean Genereux.
During the weekend there was also a quill workshop hosted by Taryn Bobiwash of Nimkii Aazhibikong (Serpent River Territory) and a creativity with food workshop put on by Kiara Genereux. There was also a traditional art workshop put on by William Morin of Mishibikwadinaang.
During the weekend there was an open art room in the council chambers and an open gallery in the community complex displaying the artists’ works.
“We held a dinner and showcase event Sunday night where we celebrated our artists. We brought each of the artists on stage and presented them with gift bags,” said Ms. McLean Genereux.
“We hope to grow in the coming years to have others attend the gallery and eventually, down the road, have a consistent space one day like other First Nations on the Island,” said Ms. McLean Genereux. “West End representation is important and so is sharing art as a form of healing.”
