The (Tea)chings space features and celebrates artwork by Indigenous community members of all ages. This spotlight lives within the exhibition Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence and features new community projects each year.
(Tea)chings currently hosts a collection of quillwork that was created by members of the Sircle of Sisters program at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, with visiting artist Cheryl Simon! Simon’s work is currently featured in the Mi’kma’ki Artists’ Spotlight.
These artworks were generated through workshops about Mi’kmaw quillwork and the cultural values, legal protocols, and history embedded in the art form. The group began by practising foundational skills, material prep, and exploring ancestral designs before jumping into more complex pieces.
The configuration of these quilled pucks follows the curves of the Mi’kmaw hieroglyphic symbol for “L’nu,” the word Mi’kmaw use to describe Indigenous Peoples. While each design was quilled by individual participants, the intention of the piece is collaborative to reflect how individuals contribute to the rich diversity of a nation. Check out the participants’ quilled installation, photos of the community during the workshops, and a few panels about materiality and sustainability within this art form!
Curated by: Aiden Gillis & Michael McCormack
Artists: Cheryl Simon, Andrea Argueta, Denise Bellefountaine, Angela Doyle-Faulkner, Kelsey Eisner, Trena Empringham, Viricka Francis, Dawn Gallant, Denise John, Carole Kowcun, Alicia Littlejohn, Lynda MacIntyre, Amanda Meaney MacPhee, Theresa Meuse, Tanya Thiffault, Arlene White, and Donna Woolley.
