Coast Salish traditional design elements will be featured in the architectural design of the building, and the arts and crafts produced within will be developed through the inclusion of John Marston, a Professional Coast Salish Artist and Elder representing the Stz’uminus First Nation.
The new studio is the first phase – and an integral component — of the vision for a Ladysmith Arts and Heritage Hub, which has been identified as a key piece in the implementation of the Town’s larger $25 million Waterfront Area Plan.
The Artist Studio design involved deep collaboration with Stz’uminus Elders and guidance from an Arts and Heritage Hub Steering Committee. The collective vision has been named One Heart + One Mind: Itst uw’hw-nuts’ ul-wum (we are working as one).
The building will be approximately 4500 square feet, made up of a nearly 3000 square foot interior and just over 1500 square foot exterior working space, to house local artists including Stz’uminus First Nation carvers and other artists.
There will be a large, shared community, multi-use and event space, along with several smaller studios designed to encourage visitor viewing opportunities and engagement with working artists.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
