From project practicums, murals, exhibitions, and gallery showings, the Arts programs at Portage College have drawn a lot of attention this year.
Fine Arts and Indigenous Arts students, along with alumni, recently displayed their work at the Stuart MacPherson Public Library in Lac La Biche an exhibition that also included works from Art 30 students at J.A. Williams High School. The gallery of work remained on display over the month of June and included an evening Art Walk and Talk event that drew community members to learn more about the artists, the Portage College program, and the local art scene.
The collection of student art will next be on display in Edmonton at the Art Gallery of Alberta as part of the Water Views – Reflections from Our Blue Planet exhibition. The show – featuring artwork from post-secondary students across the province – will run from September to November. The Portage students’ artwork comes full circle to wrap up the year, with a final showing at the Lac La Biche campus – just in time for Christmas gift ideas.
Indigenous Arts students also participate in the annual Indigenous Art Exposé, held on the first day of convocation near the end of each academic year. Open to the public, the event highlights the projects students have created throughout the year and gives them the opportunity to connect with community members while celebrating their artistic achievements.
Expert help
Through the final weeks of classes, Indigenous Arts students were guided on several projects by Portage College’s Artist in Residence, Joseph Sánchez, the last living member of the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated (PNIAI), and the Chief Museum Curator at the Portage College Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art and Artifacts.
Sanchéz mentored the students on two wall mural projects that were part of their practicum. The murals now brighten walls of the Lac La Biche campus: One celebrates student life through athletics, while the other represents an educational journey using the colours of the northern lights.
The northern lights mural is titled A New Dawn, and draws connections from the history of Portage College, a student’s journey, and the natural beauty of the region.
The term New Dawn translates into Cree as Pe-Ta-Pun, which was the name given to the College more than 55 years ago when a peaceful protest helped to keep the facility open when federal funding stalled.
Indigenous Arts Diploma first year student, Trina Boostrom, says a highlight of her learning journey so far has been the opportunity to work with artists like Sanchéz and faculty members who are well-known for their expertise in Indigenous art, fine arts, culture, and history.
“The atmosphere is so welcoming and supportive, it feels very family-based.,” she said, adding that the guidance the students received for the mural project helped them create great pieces. “We were looking for something new and something special, and that’s exactly what we got. Our group has great synergy. ”
“The Arts Programming at Portage College provides students with outstanding opportunities to showcase their work throughout the year in exhibitions and gallery displays. These experiences allow students to share their creativity, build confidence, and engage with the broader community,” says Indigenous Arts Coordinator Ruby Sweetman.
