Indigenous artwork at Arbor Gallery during month of June

As part of Indigenous History month, Arbor Gallery will feature the artwork of Nathalie Coutou, Métis artist and owner of Wakefield gallery-boutique KHEWA (Khewa.com), which in the Oji-Cree language means the “North Wind” that brings you home to your traditions.

Born on a Quebec sled-dog farm, Coutou drew her inspiration and love of the arts from her French-European father’s artistry and her mother’s enduring joy and Mi’kmaq ancestry. In her early 20’s she was blessed to reconnect with her Indigenous heritage through the teachings of Mi’kmaq Elder Stephen Augustine. This began her inspiration to promote a spirit of inclusiveness and reconciliation to further nurture more understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Two of her children, who are Oji-Cree from Red Sucker Lake (Treaty 5 territory), were her inspiration to create KHEWA, a gallery-boutique where nothing is made overseas. Her hope was for KHEWA to be a place where her children could always be proud of their Indigenous heritage. Since this time, she has been creating alliances between Indigenous, Métis, Inuit artists and Canadian partners to promote Indigenous culture. In her gallery-boutique, she narrates ancestral stories, provides art workshops, and facilitates educational events on various cross-cultural realities.

The exhibit will include some of Coutou’s original paintings as well as pieces from of her clothing collection – all sporting reproductions of her artwork. The gallery will also display artwork from other Indigenous artists, and pieces from private collections.

On Saturday, June 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., visitors will be able to meet the artist, where Coutou will give a talk and converse with participants.

The exhibition will run from June 8 until July 3.

On Saturday, June 11 Champlain library’s Anne Smith will be on site in the afternoon to present and discuss some material relating to Indigenous History from the library’s collection.

Champlain Township grant makes project possible

“Our Indigenous History activities this month are possible thanks to a grant from Champlain Township,” explains Sylvie Bouchard, Arbor Gallery’s president. “We asked for help to present awareness-raising events on the theme of inclusion, which encompasses Black History month, Indigenous History month and LBGTQ2S+, and we are very grateful to Mayor Riopel and Council for this grant.”

Weekend concludes local artists’ show and Ukraine awareness event

It was a busy weekend at the gallery. Art collectors came for last minute purchases from Maggie Dean and Brunhild Schierding’s exhibition, while several people came to view the Together for Ukraine exhibit put together by Creating Centre’s Nathalie Ladouceur, in collaboration with Soleil Levant Pastoral Unit and the gallery.

The walk-in conference with Luc Chénier (CEO of Kyiv Post) and Dimitro Gordiienko gathered a full audience to the Main Hall of the gallery and the second floor display was highly appreciated by all.

Father’s Day Concert with Lynne Hanson

Lynne Hanson will grace Arbor Gallery on Sunday, June 19, for a Father’s Day concert.  Local audiences greatly appreciate Hanson’s strong presence and talent, and many are excited to hear her again upon returning from her world tour.  A Saken Music presentation.

Arbor Gallery Cultural Centre is located at 36 Home Avenue, at the heart of Vankleek Hill. Summer hours on Saturdays: 10am to 4pm. Open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 4pm. More information about programming and events on Arbor Gallery’s Facebook page, website or Twitter, by subscribing to the gallery’s newsletter at www.arborgallery.org or by email at [email protected]