November 8, 2017
A collection of artwork from the City of Edmonton’s first Indigenous Artist-in-Residence was officially unveiled at City Hall today.
Dawn Marie Marchand, a Cree and Métis visual artist from Cold Lake First Nations, was named Edmonton’s Indigenous Artist-in-Residence in July 2016.
“Having an Indigenous Artist-in-Residence for the city is an excellent way to engage Indigenous artists and Edmontonians in civic life,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “The program gives these artists a chance to share their work on a larger stage and seeks opportunities to grow local Indigenous talent.”
The Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Program provides Indigenous artistic talent with the opportunity to share their work, build networks and connect with Edmontonians. The position is an opportunity to highlight the City’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, while providing a platform for artists to share the diverse cultural, social and artistic contributions that Indigenous people bring to Edmonton.
“It’s always exciting when a City department approaches us to partner on a residency project,” said Stephen Williams, Edmonton Arts Council Director of Grants, Awards & Support Programs. “Every Artist-in-Residence approaches the role differently, and seeing Dawn Marie use her residency to elevate and advocate for the Indigenous arts community in Edmonton has been inspiring.”
The artwork will be on display until November 20. Marchand’s term as Indigenous Artist-in-Residence officially ended on October 31, 2017.
