ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ Indigenous Art Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Edmonton, Alberta 2013-2015
The development of this park transformed the way Dawn approached arts administration. Acknowledging the barriers artists face as well as the further barriers and harms Indigenous artists faced at the time, the approach to be inclusive and aware of the challenges many artists faced with approaching this large scale public art project. Dawn was instrumental in developing artist/community workshops and new relationships with Indigenous Artists, Elders and Community members within Treaty 6 and across Canada in the first stages of this project. She was the lead contact between City partners, Indigenous Artists, the Community and Curator Candice Hopkins. The park opened to the public in Fall 2018, featuring six artworks by Canadian Indigenous artists, that “tell the story of this place”. Artists are: Mary Anne Barkhouse, Tiffany Shaw, Marianne Nicolson, Duane Linklater, Amy Malbeuf, Jerry Whitehead.
The Works Art & Design Festival, Canadian Indigenous Art Program, Edmonton, Alberta 2009-2013
The Works Art & Design Festival 2009-2013 Indigenous art program starting in 2009 and I am happy to say that it continues today. The Canadian Aboriginal Artist Programs’ aim was to highlight the artistic contributions that contemporary Indigenous artists make to visual culture. For the first three years, the program was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and showcased the work of established, and emerging Indigenous artists from across the country. Dawn created the program to address the lack of Indigenous contemporary artists being shown in Edmonton’s public spaces and to provide mentorship opportunities between senior and emerging Indigenous Artists. Invited artists between 2009-13 included Terrance Houle, Sonny Assu, David Garneau, Lawrence Paul Yuxweleptun, and Adrian Stimson. Take a look at The Works Festival Archives for from 2008-2012 more info!
