Portage College opens permanent exhibition of works from Canada’s ‘Indian Group of Seven’

Print

Lac La Biche, Alberta, April 2, 2018 — ​Portage College’s Lac La Biche campus is proud to announce the grand opening of ​Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. Permanent Exhibition​, featuring works from Canada’s Indian Group of Seven. The Indian Group of Seven is the name given to seven esteemed Indigenous Canadian artists in 1973, in direct comparison to Canada’s Group of Seven impressionist artists of the 1920s. The grand opening celebrating these artists’ paradigm-shifting work will take place on April 13, 2018 in Portage College’s Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art & Artifacts.

The Indian Group of Seven, whose members include Daphne Odjig, Alex Janvier, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez, opposed Indigenous exclusion by moving contemporary Indigenous art into the mainstream. They saw Indigenous art as an evolving style and expression, informed by experience and modern themes.

Portage College is excited to have the last two surviving members of the PNAI group join them on April 13. Alex Janvier and Joseph Sanchez will be at the Portage College Lac La Biche Campus to open the permanent display of the Indian Group of Seven exhibit. The event will also celebrate the Portage College Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art and Artifacts 40th Anniversary.

From the Cold Lake First Nations, Alex Janvier is known as a pioneer artist in Canada. He has influenced many generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists with his award-winning art. Janvier has completed several murals nationally and having Janvier alongside Sanchez at this event has national significance for Arts in Canada.

Joseph Sanchez will travel from Santa Fe, New Mexico for the event and has agreed to be a visiting artist. Sanchez will also be speaking at the “Power Up NORTH” conference April 11 where Portage is a sponsor. This is an unprecedented opportunity for the community to learn from one of the leaders in Indigenous art.

“A permanent exhibition of these works not only recognizes the significant contribution the group has made to both Canadian and International art,” said Dr. Trent Keough, President & CEO of Portage College, “but the importance of Indigenous art and artists in the representation of Canada’s culture, Canadian history and contemporary Indigenous cultures.”

Portage College is a leader in the academic field of Indigenous art and craftsmanship. Portage College provides native arts and culture programming that instructs aspiring Indigenous artists in traditional and contemporary styles and techniques. The college’s Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art & Artifacts (MOAPAA), serves as a resource for students and the public to better appreciate Aboriginal peoples contemporary culture and history. MOAPAA will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

One of MOAPAA’s objectives is to communicate how Indigenous peoples reclaim their identity by connecting with lost culture through artistic expression. Indigenous art demonstrates the historical trauma experienced by those subjugated under colonialism, especially in Canada’s residential school system.

The Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. Permanent Exhibition will be displayed in Lac La Biche County. Lac La Biche County is a region filled with history, beauty, and cultural diversity—a place uniquely situated to host the Native Indian Artists Inc. Permanent Exhibition.

Those interested in attending the grand opening can learn more at moappa.ca, and can help to support the event through attendance, donations, or by raising awareness on social media and in their communities.

1 Comment on "Portage College opens permanent exhibition of works from Canada’s ‘Indian Group of Seven’"

  1. this was a actually nice post. In concept I wish to put in writing like this furthermore – thowever what can I say I procrastinate alot and not at all appear to get something done.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*