Atlantic festival shows art from coast to coast

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Aboriginal art and culture will be showcased and celebrated at the Dalhousie Arts Centre in Halifax at the end of July, as artists from across the country show their works during a First Nations arts festival.

Nations in a Circle will take place July 27 to 29 at the arts centre, the first such offering of what organizers hope will become an annual event.

"We want this to be an annual event, because so much focus has been on other parts of Canada with Aboriginal art, and no one for quite some time has celebrated the achievements like this in this area. And we think it's long overdue," said festival co-ordinator Kathy Legg.

Legg is working with two East Coast artists, Alan Syliboy from Nova Scotia, and Stan Hill, Jr. from Newfoundland.

"It's an Aboriginal art and culture showcase, and we've invited artists from across Canada," Legg said "We have some that are hoping to come from as far away as B.C. and from Labrador."

Invitations have been sent out to more than 1,500 Aboriginal artists across Canada, although organizers don't yet know how many will actually be taking part in the event.

Artists working in a variety of media have been invited to take part, from painters to moose antler carvers.

Legg is hoping to feature a number of artists from the East Coast, with artists from Labrador, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and from across Nova Scotia among those invited to attend.

The idea of having a festival to celebrate Aboriginal art and artists on the East Coast had been something Legg, Syliboy and Hill had each been thinking about for a number of years.

"I just thought, 'well, somebody's got to do it. I think it might be us.'"

The trio got together two years ago and started working on the festival.

Organizers are hoping to include some demonstrations as part of the festival, as well as a performance at the art centre.

A couple of Aboriginal speakers have also been invited to take part, including artist and curator Rick Hill.

"He used to work with the Smithsonian and is very knowledgeable about Indian art," Legg said. "His father is a master carver, and two of his brothers are carvers."

Another possible speaker is painter Jim Logan.

"He was hoping to speak on, I think, authenticity. If someone from one area produces art that is traditional in another area, is that authentic, that sort of thing," Legg said.

"I'm still as excited as I was when we first thought about it two years ago," Legg said. "It's going to be great,"

For more information call (902) 423-3139, or see http://nationsinacircle.ca