4 minute read
Downtown Duncan Arts Pages
CRYSTAL CHARLOTTE EASTON Excellent Frameworks
A Thriving Arts and Cultural Community
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Listening for my Grandmothers- illustrations from a personal Legend
My artworks arise as my personal responses to questions that need answering; Questions like, how do we heal our land, our families and communities? How do we go about restoring our lives to honor and protect our own inner child, or our child relatives, after we’ve endured generations of harm? How do we heal a brokenhearted mother or convince a youth dancing with suicidal thoughts that safety, beauty and joy are worth hanging around for? How do we soothe a fighting, flighting or freezing man? Mostly though- I grapple with why we should do any healing at all… my art stirs and teases at the answers, while I reach and listen again for the wisdom of my grandmothers. They come to me in my visual language and I have to work at interpreting what I see.
In September 2021, I joined the University of Toronto to study the Master of Social Work- Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency Program with Jane Middleton Moz and team- we were prompted to write a personal legend that describes lessons learned from Trauma in life so far, and the tools of Resiliency I’ve gained. I mostly draw from the ceremony work that my community does in our sweat-lodge; but I also collect wisdoms from caring for and listening to the elders in my life and from my own heritage and dream-walking practice (wherein I seek and receive conversations with my ancestors). I wrote the audio story featured in this show for my teachers, when asked to transform some of my learnings about Intergenerational Trauma and Resiliency into a story that demonstrates Resilience as medicine. It is a synthesis of common recurring threads that inspire and provoke me to feel alive, and these threads help me to remember that my own connection to my humanity IS the healing I have to offer.
Each image has played a role in my development as a person. Each one is expressing a turning point when I understood for a moment what my grandmothers were trying to teach me, in my childhood and in my dreams. In my
Crystal Charlotte Easton
professional life as a support person for many projects and programs, I have found these lessons to be true again and again- and I am still learning, still listening. I hope you find some part of your own healing in these images and stories. May we all be free to tell our tales in safe and beautiful spaces.
Excellent Frameworks, Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery, 115 Kenneth St., Duncan. www.excellentframeworks.ca
Moonlit Beach, Acrylic on Board, 10” x 20” by Dale Byhre
THE CALL OF THE SEA ANSWERED WITH A PAINTBRUSH BY DALE BYHRE Aquamaris Art Gallery
Born and raised in the lower mainland, Dale Byhre has always had a strong affinity with the landscape, the rivers and the ocean that define life in this Pacific province. Dale’s deep appreciation of the arts and passion for painting, combined with his love of history and ships, lead him to answer the call of the sea in ways that ultimately inspired him to become a full time artist with a strong focus on marine art. Having achieved Signature Status with both the American Society of Marine Artists and the Canadian Society of Marine Artists, in 2020, Dale also attained the Senior Signature status with the Federation of Canadian Artists (SFCA), recognizing his exceptional technical skill, quality of work and uniqueness of the artistic voice. Whether depicting a ship on an open sea, the spectacle of a sunset, a placid harbour, or a mountain stream, Dale’s paintings are finding their way into collections at home and abroad, as admirers recognize his ability to capture the ever-changing light and the atmosphere of the West Coast.
Aquamaris Art Gallery proudly introduces Dale Byhre to the art lovers on Vancouver Island through his powerful interpretations of the sea and brilliantly illuminated landscapes portrayed, primarily in acrylic, with mastery, painterly sensibilities and reverence.
Aquamaris Art Gallery Upstairs in the historic Duncan Garage Building Suite 202 - 330 Duncan Street (250) 597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com
Pacific Beach After A Storm, Acrylic on Canvas, 24” x 36” by Dale Byhre
JUNE ARTS
AQUAMARIS ART GALLERY
As new arrivals inspire refreshed displays, this Father’s Day consider a gift of art for Dad, with broad range of choices, from light-filled marine themed gems, colourful small paintings of cars to raku salmon wall sculptures and more. June hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4:00 pm Suite 202-330 Duncan St. Downtown Duncan 250-597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com
EXCELLENT FRAMEWORKS & EJ HUGHES GALLERY
Excellent Frameworks - Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery is independently and indigenously owned by Suzan Kostiuck, a member of the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Fort Liard, NWT. Mahsi cho (thank you) to all our clients for their support over the past 7 years! 115 Kenneth St., downtown Duncan 250-746-7112 excellentframeworks.ca
