Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective facts for kids
Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective is a group of Indigenous artists in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They create new and exciting art projects. Their goal is to support and showcase the work of Indigenous artists.
About Ociciwan
The Ociciwan Collective started in 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta. This area is on Treaty 6 land, which is the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples. The first members were Tiffany Shaw-Collinge, Erin Sutherland, Becca Taylor, and Kristy Trinier. Today, the group includes Tiffany Shaw-Collinge, Erin Sutherland, Becca Taylor, Halie Finney, and Alberta Rose W.
The name Ociciwan comes from the Plains Cree language. It means "the current comes from there," like a river. This name connects to the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton. It shows how the collective links the past, present, and future of Indigenous art.
Ociciwan works on several projects each year. These include art shows, research, and public art. They want to help people learn more about modern Indigenous art. They also encourage artists to work together and share their ideas.
Ociciwan Art Centre
In 2018, Ociciwan announced they would open a new art centre. It is called the Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre. The centre is in a two-story building in downtown Edmonton. It has a gallery for art shows. It also has a kitchen, a library, and space for community events. This centre is the first art centre in Edmonton run by Indigenous people.
The centre's first big art show was called amiskwacîwâskahikan. It was planned for March 2020. However, the opening was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2020, some equipment and art were stolen from the gallery. One stolen artwork was a beaded medallion by Lana Whiskeyjack. It was called Three Generations of nitêh (my heart). Lana Whiskeyjack said the artwork was very important. It was made to help people understand and support Indigenous communities.
Art Projects and Exhibitions
Ociciwan has worked on many art projects and exhibitions. Here are some of them:
- Scene Report, with Wendy. Walter Scott. Stanley A. Milner Library, Edmonton, AB. 2015.
- How to Tell a Story. Brenda Draney. University of Alberta Museums Enterprise Square Galleries, Edmonton, AB. 2016.
- A Parallel Excavation: Duane Linklater & Tanya Lukin Linklater. Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 2016.
- Urban Spaces. Tanya Harnett & Jeff Thomas. Edmonton, AB. 2016.
- The Shawls Project. Faye HeavyShield with Moving the Mountain Youth. Edmonton City Hall. Edmonton, AB. 2016.
- Big 'Uns. Dayna Danger. Latitude 53 Contemporary Visual Culture. Edmonton, AB. 2017.
- in memoriam... Postcommodity and Alex Waterman. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Francis Winspear Centre for Music. Banff, AB and Edmonton, AB. 2017.
- Horse Camp. Brittney Bear Hat and Richelle Bear Hat. Emily Murphy Park, Edmonton, AB and AKA artist-run, Saskatoon, SK. 2017.
- Indigenous Fashion & Wearable Art at WCFW Fall 2017. Jeneen Frei Njootli, Meghann O'Brien, & Sage Paul. ATB Financial Arts Barns. Edmonton, AB. 2017.
- Arrivals: Tamara Lee-Anne Cardinal, Dan Cardinal McCartney, Laura Grier, and Sarah Houle. dc3 Art Projects. Edmonton, AB. 2018.
- Current Terrain: Bruno Canadien, Brenda Draney, Jessie Ray Short, Adrian Stimson, and Alberta Rose W. A Space Gallery. Toronto, ON. 2018.
- Indigenous Birthing Film Screening: The Ephemerals, Jules Koostachin, and Rebeka Tabobondung. Mitchell Art Gallery, MacEwan University. Edmonton, AB. 2019.
- Métis Kitchen Table Talk on Methodologies of Making: Kathy Mattes and Sherry Farrell Racette. CKUA Edmonton. Edmonton, AB. 2019.
- Resemblance: Halie Finney and Dwayne Martineau. Parallel Space. Edmonton, AB. 2020.
