Portage College is excited to have the last two surviving members of the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated (PNIAI), better known as the Indian Group of Seven, join them on April 13^th. Alex Janvier and Joseph Sanchez will be at the Portage College Lac La Biche Campus to open the permanent display of the Indian Group of Seven exhibit. The event will also celebrate the Portage College Museum of Aboriginal Peoples' Art and Artifacts 40^th Anniversary.

PNIAI was founded in November 1973, and consisted of: Daphne Odjig, Alex Janvier, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez.

From the Cold Lake First Nations, Alex Janvier is known as a pioneer artist in Canada. He has influenced many generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists with his award winning art. Janvier has completed several murals nationally and having Janvier alongside Sanchez at this event has national significance for Arts in Canada.

Joseph Sanchez will travel from Santa Fe, New Mexico for the event and has agreed to be a visiting artist. Sanchez will also be speaking at the "Power Up NORTH" conference April 11^th where Portage is a sponsor. This is an unprecedented opportunity for the community to learn from one of the leaders in Indigenous art.

"A permanent exhibition of these works not only recognizes the significant contribution the group has made to both Canadian and International art, but the importance of Indigenous art and artists in the representation of Canada's culture, Canadian history and contemporary Indigenous cultures." Said Dr. Trent Keough, President & CEO of Portage College.

Event Details: 

When: Friday, April 13^th, 2018, 3:00 pm
Where: Portage College, Lac La Biche, Alberta 
What: Speakers, Museum Tours, Refreshments, Dinner (Invite Only)
The event will be open to the public and we invite the many individuals of the art world on a national level to be present to honour the contributions to the Museum.