Artist Noel has long list of successes

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Indian artist Maxine Noel will be in Edmonton on October 24 and 25 at the Bearclaw Gallery to promote her art and to be available to those from the public who may wish to meet and chat with her.

Recognized as one of Canada's foremost Native artists whose speciality falls in the category of linear art, Noel has been expanding her talents in the last few years to the point that she is now creating cast paper as well as limited edition bronze castings.

Since pursuing art as a full time endeavour, she has mastered the techniques and process of serigraphing, stone lithographing and etching. A more recent occurrence and shift in her work stems from the fact that Noel has now gone into working on canvas, some of which are quite large and will be part of her exhibit and sale while in Edmonton.

Bearclaw Gallery is the only Edmonton outlet for Noel's work and this is but one of her annual excursions to this city. It will be her last showing before she travels to Los Angeles in the early part of 1987 where she will remain for a month before returning to Canada.

Born of Santee-Oglala Sioux parents, Noel's early childhood was spent at her mother's reserve in Manitoba. At the age of six she started her formal education at a residential school.

Eventually, Noel wound up in Edmonton where she was employed as a legal secretary. However, her preoccupation with art soon drew her away and she enrolled in a course in advanced design. It was during this time that the instructor noticed her abilities and leanings towards linear expression.

Encouraged by her teacher to develop her skills in shape and line to suggest movement, she soon produced a style which was distinct and unique. It is a style for which she is noted and which has advanced her visibility and acceptance as one of the leading Native artists in the country.

Noel, whose Indian name is loyan Mani, has enjoyed much success. Her works have been displayed and collected by such prestigious firms as:

- Air Canada Collection

- Albracht Collection, Colorado

- Oberon Gallery, Napa, California

- Raven Gallery, Minneapolis

- Squash Blossom Ltd., Chicago

- National Museum of Man, Ottawa

- Northland Art Galleries, Toronto

- Images of Canadian Heritage, Vancouver

- Canadian Guild of Crafts, Montreal and others.

Noel will be at the Bearclaw from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. on October 24 and from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon the following day. Her art is to be featured until November 1.

The Bearclaw is located at 9724 - 111 Avenue and has parking available at the back of the shop as well as on the avenue. Regular hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 pm. Monday through Saturday, and until 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.