Black Tulip Designs: Wiigwaas Series - The Story of Birch Bark Baskets

You are invited to a community art workshop series in Mississauga, as part of the Lakeview Village Discovery Centre Artists-In-Residence Program, in partnership with Artscape Atelier.

*Limited spots available. Please reserve your tickets to save your spot. We will not exceed the capacity of each workshop, but will have a waitlist in case any cancellations occur.*

The below artist will be sharing her Indigenous knowledge in a number of thoughtful art workshops, all levels are welcome!

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Artist, Naomi Smith (Black Tulip Designs) is one of this years artists-in-residence, and will be holding a variety of exciting and inspiring community art workshops inspired by her Indigenous knowledge and our connection to water, in a series of three workshops total.

We are collecting donations for each ticket in honour of Indigenous culture that suggests an exchange from participants/recipients to their knowledge teachers. Since these workshops are being sponsored by Lakeview Village, the artist has advised that participants should instead donate to a cause, for this knowledge exchange opportunity.

Donations will be collected by Artscape through purchasing your Eventbrite tickets and once all workshops have completed this Spring will be donated to Water First: Water First supports Indigenous communities in addressing critical water challenges. You can find out more here: https://waterfirst.ngo/

You are welcome to donate any amount you are able to; pay what you can. We will not be able to send individuals donation tax receipts, since this will be collected and donated through Artscape as a lump sum at the end of the workshops. We appreciate your understanding and will send an email to all participants to note how much was raised and donated in total once all workshops have completed in May 2023.

These workshops are geared to older Youth and adults (recommended age 15+) and parents/guardians! This event is in person indoors at the Discovery Centre Gallery. Please note that all youth (under 18 years old) require to be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event (guardian/parent). Please also sign up for the event to claim your individual spots and enjoy a family-fun activity!

Please note that these workshops may be photographed/video recorded. Therefore, all participants will be required to sign a media consent release form upon arrival.

Please bring your own snacks/lunch and please note if you have any serious food allergies when signing up, so we can make other attendees aware of any foods they should not bring to the event space if needed.

*** Full details of this workshop can be found below;

This workshop is the first in a series of three from artist Naomi Smith (from Black Tulip Designs), for the Lakeview Village Discovery Centre artist-in-residence program, in partnership with Artscape Atelier.

Ages: 15 and up, this is a mature workshop

Skill: All skill levels, comfort with hand sewing is an asset.

The Wiigwaas (Birch Bark) series combines traditional Indigenous ways of knowing along with a creative experience that will provide practical knowledge along with an artist interpretation of working with natural materials. In the first workshop participants will paint and create a basket based on an ages old design. While paper and other natural materials will be utilized, this knowledge can be used in real life. The workshop will focus on working with water colour paints to create a still life composition along with basket making skills. Participants do not require any prior arts skills. Comfort with hand sewing would be an asset. Natural materials such as animal hide and Sweetgrass will also be used. Sweetgrass is one of the four medicines that woodlands Indigenous people use. This plant has a distinct vanilla essence and those who are scent sensitive may want to consider this when signing up for this workshop.

Traditional knowledge and teachings will be part of the learning experience as we celebrate the gift of Wiigwaas (birch bark). Chi miigwetch.

About the Artist, Maker and Educator:

Naomi is an Indigenous Artist, Maker and Educator from the Chippewas of Nawash Nation in Neyaashiinimiing. For over 25 years Naomi has focused on sharing teachings about the Indigenous people of the Woodlands and Northeastern region from a historical and contemporary perspective often through the story of beads. Her work embraces ancestral designs in the form of bags, adornment and traditional accessories. Naomi's work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally. She has exhibited at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) (Smithsonian) in Washington DC and New York, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives, Art Gallery of Guelph and participated in events throughout the year prior to the pandemic.

Naomi’s artwork is in permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, MA, The Art Gallery of Guelph, Schneider Haus, and private collections throughout the world.

While many of her lectures and presentations are art themed, she also talks about the historic challenges facing indigenous peoples and how this narrative has affected her life journey. Naomi provides insight into her Indigenous world which is a unique blend of traditional teachings and colonial experiences.

Artist’s Statement:

“Honouring our traditions is my voice within and beyond my Culture and Community. Traditionally there is no word for “art” in Native languages yet artistry and visual expression are critical in defining who we are as Original people. It is this path I wish to exemplify through my teachings and my work."