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Leo Yerxa facts for kids

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Leo Yerxa was a talented Canadian visual artist, a person who designed medals, and a writer. He was especially known for illustrating children's picture books. In 2006, he won the important Governor General's Award for his work. Leo Yerxa lived in Ottawa, Ontario, for a time. He passed away on September 1, 2017.

Early Life and Learning

Leo Yerxa was born in 1947. His home was on the Little Eagle Reserve, which is part of the Couchiching First Nation in northwestern Ontario. He went to Algonquin College in Ottawa to study graphic arts. This is about creating designs and images. Later, he studied fine arts at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. Fine arts include painting, drawing, and sculpture.

His Career as an Artist and Writer

Leo Yerxa started sharing his poetry and art in the 1970s. He took part in many group art shows. His first solo art show was in 1984. It was called "Renegade: The Art of Leo Yerxa." This show took place at the Thunder Bay National Exhibition Centre.

Olympic Coin Designs

Leo Yerxa's designs were chosen for the 1976 Summer Olympic coins. These coins were made in 1975. He designed four different coins:

  • A $5 coin showing a Marathon Runner.
  • Another $5 coin with a Women's Javelin thrower.
  • A $10 coin featuring a Women's Shot Put athlete.
  • A $10 coin showing Men's Hurdles.

His coin designs used art styles from the Algonquin people. This was one of the first times that Indigenous art and values were shown in Canadian public art.

Books for Young Readers

Leo Yerxa wrote and illustrated several books for children. One of his most famous books is Ancient Thunder. He won the Governor General's Literary Award in 2006 for this book. Another well-known book he created is Last Leaf, First Snowflake to Fall.

Art Shows and Projects

Leo Yerxa's artwork was shown in many places.

Group Art Shows

He participated in these group exhibitions:

  • 1974: CANADIAN INDIAN ART '74 at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
  • 1977: "Links to Tradition" by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Development.
  • 1982: "Renewal: Masterpieces of contemporary Indian art" in Thunder Bay.
  • 1983: "Contemporary Indian and Inuit Art of Canada" for the UN-Headquarters in New York.

Solo Art Shows

He also had many shows where only his art was displayed:

  • 1974 and 1975: Evans Gallery in Toronto.
  • 1978: "bingo" at Wells Gallery in Ottawa.
  • 1978 and 1979: Guild of Craft in Montreal.
  • 1980: "Wind, Rain and Snow" at Ells Gallery in Ottawa.
  • 1983: "Last Snows in Spring" at Nishnawbe Arts in Toronto.
  • 1984: "Renegade" in Thunder Bay.
  • 1986 and 1988: Galerie Francis Alexandre in Ottawa.
  • 2017-2018: "Geschichten aus dem Waldland" at the Nordamerika Native Museum in Zurich.

Public Art Projects

Leo Yerxa also created art for public spaces:

  • He made sketches for the Olympic Medal series IV in 1976.
  • He created a memorial for Ron Shackleton at the University of Western Ontario.

His Books

Leo Yerxa was both an author and an illustrator for some books, and an illustrator for others.

Books He Wrote and Illustrated

  • 1993: Last Leaf, First Snowflake to Fall, published by Douglas & McIntyre and Orchard Books NY.
  • 1995: A Fish Tale, Or, The Little One That Got Away], published by Douglas & McIntyre.
  • 2006: Ancient Thunder, published by Groundwood Books.

Books He Illustrated for Others

Awards He Won

Leo Yerxa received several important awards for his work:

See also

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