The Northern Indigenous Arts Council (NIAC) is excited to bring inspiring beauty to the communities of Northern BC next month, they will be revealing four large-scale, local pieces of indigenous arts. The artwork will be shown on the sides of BC bus North buses as they travel through their regular routes adding even more beauty to the landscape. The initiative is a result of non-traditional partnership between NIAC and BC Bus North. It started with a call for submission to indigenous artists living in Northern BC, an adjudication panel was formed to select the final selections of local pieces that could translate well into a large-scale digital format. 4 Beautiful pieces have now been chosen to go on the BC Bus North buses that provide essential services to over 40 communities.
Diane Levesque, NIAC president says “ It means so much to us to be able to tell a positive story and celebrate the talent, the beauty, and the importance of Indigenous culture in Northern BC and beyond, We’re thrilled to showcase this powerful and moving artwork in a very unique way.”
“The limitless natural and authentic beauty of our region is so well captured on the artwork revealed today, my heartfelt congratulations to the local artists who did an amazing job creating Indigenous art that thousands of BC Bus North riders will surely appreciate.” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast on behalf of Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The Artists that have been selected are:
Clayton Gauthier, Cree/Dakelh, of Prince George, BC
Tim Foster, Gitxsan/Wet'suwet'en, of Prince Rupert, BC
Kari Morgan, Nisga’a, of Terrace, BC
Michelle Stoney, Gitxsan, of Hazelton, BC
For more info about the artists, click here.
This project was funded by the Province of British Columbia, The Northern Indigenous Arts Council, The Community Arts Council of Prince George & District and anonymous private donors from the northern communities.
The artwork on all four buses was unveiled in an event in Prince George, BC with the artists, partners, and dignitaries in attendance. For more
NIAC Media Contacts:
Jennifer Annais Pighin - jenpighinbc@hotmail.com
Diane Levesque - djlevesque1@telus.net
Artist Clayton Gauthier with his art piece “Bear’s Prayer for the Salmon’s Journey”
The Khast’an Drummers of Prince George
BC Bus North coaches newly adorned with original art from Northern BC Indigenous artists