Walter Collins
Born in Ontario, Walt spent his early years traveling in Europe with his family. His exposure to European culture prompted his artistic hunger and he began sketching at the age of five.
Walt found himself drawn closer and closerto the West Coast and his career began to flourish during Expo ’86.
Since 2000 Walt has been interested in carving in stone and over the years has developed his own style and techniques. Many of his sculptures reside in homes and offices worldwide
He now resides in the scenic town of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. His contemporary airbrush portraits and stunningly detailed pencils of wildlife and west coat scenery are displayed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.
George David
Internationally acclaimed Native American Master carver, Studied and carves in many Northwest Coast styles: Nuu-chah-nulth, Makah, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Bella Coola and Kwagiulth.
Heritage:
Nuu-chah-nulth.
Born on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the village of Cloyoquot. Lived there seven years before his family relocated to the Seattle, Washington, area.
Special Acknowledgement:
I owe much of my learning to such artists as Joe David, Ron Hamilton, and Art Thompson,
Mediums:
Wood-ceremonial masks, headdresses and rattles, twenty to thirty foot totem poles, hand-carved panels from cedar (any size)
Important Commissions:
A four foot by eight foot carved panel for the City Hall of Kobe, Japan
Two thirty-six foot canoes for Chief Seattle’s gravesite monument at Suquamish, Washington
Two twenty foot totem poles for Tillicum village on Blake island, Washington
An elaborate rattle for King Olaf of Norway, commissioned by Tillicum Tours
One twenty foot totem pole for Malibu Beach Shopping Center mall developer Sheldon Gordon
Two tenth foot totem poles for Dan Melnick-Hollywood movie producer
Gallery Showings:
The Thomas Burke Memorial Museum Store, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
The Stonington Gallery, 2030 First Avenue, Seattle Washington
The Legacy Ltd., 1003 First Avenue, Seattle Washington
Wildlife of the World Gallery, Aspen Colorado & Carmel California
Teaching and Workshops:
The Seattle Art Museum – woodcarving workshop
Northwest Indian College, Lummi, Washington – drum making workshop
Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington – carving class and lecture
Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska – drum making work
Chris Doman
Chris Doman is an international mixed media artist, born in Wales. He graduated from Hornsey College of Art in London, England and developed his art further at the University of Victoria and in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Chris has explored many interests throughout his artistic career: creating window displays at Harrods of London, designing stage sets, painting, glass fusing, sculpture, and printmaking are some of his accomplishments. He was also an art teacher for 25 years, and he retired in 1996 and has been a full time artist ever since with a studio in Port Alberni, BC. where he has designed sets for ‘Loot’, ‘Nude with Violin , ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ and ‘The Attic, The Pearls and 3 Fine Girls’ all for Portal Players.
He has juried many shows as well as submitting his own work for acceptance so has experienced the process from both angles. He believes jurors are in a way curators and have a show in mind, so the decisions are what works for the show and not a judgement on the work or the artist.
Dorothy Jarvis
Born and Raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. Dorothy has been painting oils for many years. Her Grandparents and Mother are from the Tsimshian Village of Port Simpson, B.C. .
Inspired by the people and scenes of native life, I hope to share the stories and beauty of these people. I am humbled to capture their life and land on canvas. Portraiture and landscapes in oils are my passion. I want to capture the spirit of the people I paint.
Living in Port Alberni B.C. with my family for the past 23 I enjoy the Vancouver Island life.
Richard Skipp
Born in Toronto, Richard moved west with family, first to Coquitlam and then south to the San Francisco bay area where he attended junior and senior High schools. Worked there for a year saving up to move back to Canada.
Variety of experiences ensued, a summer vagabonding in Europe, stint in the Canadian Air Forces, truck driving in Chicago, trainman for B.C. Railways, chicken farmer, spent two years in a cabin in the woods near Fort Nelson without plumbing, or electricity.
Art was always somewhere a part of his life and so attended and Graduated University of Victoria with B.F.A. in visual arts. Minor in Pacific Asian studies. Went to spend many years teaching English in Korea. Now living aboard a sailboat in Port Alberni.
Creating art is one of those happy endeavors without limits in all directions.