Shop opening is realization of a dream

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A Native artist specializing in traditional Northwest Coast Indian art has finally realized his dream after 23 years of creative work.

Relatives, fellow artists and friends of Ronald A. Sebastian happily attended the grand opening of the RAS Fine Arts gift shop and art gallery, Nov. 26 and 27.

The store is located in a new log building on Highway 16 in New Hazelton with a showroom space of 71 square metres. Sebastian has not only his artwork on display but also works from other artists and crafts people from the Hazelton area. The building has a full basement which Sebastian plans to utilize as a workshop and instructional area.

Sebastian has been operating a gift shop, featuring his artwork, out of an 18-square-metre space in the basement of his home on Hagwilget reserve since 1990. Hagwilget is about two kilometres from New Hazelton.

"The limited space that I had to work in is what really made me decide to look for a bigger place. Tracey (his wife) and I worked hard to get the funding together. I had to get loans from the Aboriginal Business Development Program in Vancouver, the 16-37 Business Development Centre in Terrace and the Royal Bank in Hazelton besides my cash equity.

"I've been getting phone calls from my long-time customers saying they're happy for me. I feel pretty good. I've always wanted my own shop," said Sebastian.

Well known in the Indian art world, Sebastian's work can be found in museums and private collections in North America, Europe and Japan. His wood carvings, which include masks, bowls, bentboxes, rattles, talking sticks, rhythm canes, murals and totem poles of all sizes have been widely exhibited.

Some of his prints have appeared in art books. His finely crafted gold and silver jewelry is in great demand. Graduation and birthday gifts, wedding rings and anniversary gifts have become a specialty.

Sebastian, 48, has four children: Jenny, Raven., Julie and Dale. He is from the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en Nations. His name is Gwin Butsxw from the House of Spookw of the Lax Gibuu Clan. His Chief and House members said in their speeches at the opening that they are pleased for Sebastian because his shop is situated on their House territory, as is Hagwilget.