Jay Simeon facts for kids

Jay Simeon (born July 27, 1976) is a talented Canadian artist. He is known for his amazing Haida art, which comes from his father's side of the family. Jay was born into the Kaawaas branch of the Sdast’a.aas Eagle clan. His family's special symbols, called crests, include the Eagle, Supernatural Killer Whale, Frog, Beaver, and Raven. His mother has Blackfoot ancestry, and Jay was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta.

Jay Simeon's Artistic Journey

Jay Simeon started creating Haida art when he was just 14 years old. He discovered his love for art while learning the basics of Haida design from his aunt, Sharon Hitchcock. This early start helped him develop his unique style.

Learning and Growing as an Artist

Jay continued to improve his skills by taking an advanced design course at Vancouver Community College. He also studied advanced design with the famous artist Robert Davidson at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. These learning experiences helped him become the skilled artist he is today.

Art Materials and Exhibitions

Jay's art uses many different materials. He works with wood, a special black stone called argillite, silver, gold, and silkscreen prints. Since 2003, his artwork has been shown in many important art exhibits. These shows have taken place in top galleries in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle, Washington.

Notable Artworks and Collections

Jay Simeon's art has been featured in several important places. His work was part of the "Raven Travelling" exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2006. This was one of the biggest Haida art shows in recent years.

Art in Permanent Collections

You can also find Jay's art in the permanent collection of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, Washington. A "permanent collection" means the museum owns these artworks and keeps them to show to visitors for a very long time.

Special Olympic Piano

One of Jay's most unique creations is a grand piano that he painted with one of his designs. He made this special piano for the Olympics. The paint used on the piano even had dust from argillite stone, which comes from Haida Gwaii, mixed into it!

External links

• Jay Simeon Official Site: http://www3.telus.net/kitsilan/