Skip to content

Art exhibition, festival opens this weekend

World-renowed Nisga'a artist Norman Tait will be here to open his show and second annual Arts Festival kicks off at Nisga'a Museum May 30
41437terracenormantait
Norman Tait's work is on exhibit this summer at the Nisga'a Museum.

A long-awaited art exhibition opens along with the second annual arts festival at the Nisga'a Museum this Saturday, May 30.

Norman Tait, born in Gingolx, will be on hand for the official unveiling of his show, Finding a Voice: The Art of Norman Tait, the festival and a new museum sign.

“He is a world-renowned Nisga'a carver and artist with a significant amount of decades in terms of Nisga'a art,” says museum assistant curator Zora McMillan on the importance of having Tait's work on display, adding Tait has travelled the world and his work is in several museums, private collections and institutions.

“He carves with wood, metals so jewelry, totems and full ocean-gong canoes and so in that respect, he is a master.”

The show includes a selection of framed prints, masks, rattles and a photo essay of Tait during different times of his life.

In addition to the official opening of Tait's show, a new museum sign in the shape of a bent box and made by artist Calvin McNeil will be unveiled.

The day's events begin at 10 a.m. with a blessing of the new sign.

The Nass band will perform, the Nisga'a Lisims government, dignitaries and museum staff will welcome visitors.

Lunch will be provided and in the afternoon, events will be on inside and outside of the museum.

Tait's exhibit will open at 1 p.m., elders will be storytelling, Tsak' the Nisga'a puppet will share some stories with children and adults.

There will be free tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m and dance groups will perform outside.

Other artists and vendors will be on-site.

The event will be streamed online live.

Look for the link at the Nisga'a Lisims Government website.