Art at Forbes Hall Community Centre
LEE MU’XUTUN SHHWUEE’U TALU
Guardian, We Welcome You All
Thetis and Penelakut Islands were once connected. Thetis Island was the high point and a lookout for enemies and danger coming to Penelakut Island. The Thunderbird represents the lookout and protector of the people, the Wolf represents the runner and messenger to keep the people informed, the Human represents the people giving thanks to the lookout and runner.
In our modern society today, we need the Thunderbird to watch over us, protect us, and guide us in protecting our Mother Earth and our waters. Just as the Wolf travels in packs to protect one another, we need to care for one another and work together, not as segregated communities. For too long, we have been separated by race, creed, and class. As Humans, we need to raise our hands in a gesture of gratitude, goodwill and commitment to heal. It is time for all of us to work together for a better world for our future generations.
Maynard Johnny Jr. 1973 -
Coast Salish – Kwakwaka’wakw
2021
Powder-coated Aluminium
The art installation was unveiled September 18, 2021 at the Grand Re-opening of Forbes Hall Community Centre, with Penelakut Elders, family members, and Penelakut Dancers and Drummers, and over 200 members of the Thetis Island Community gathering to celebrate and witness the day.
KWUS HWU SLILUHW TU STALO
When the River went Silent
Pune’luxuth Artist – Gus Modeste 1976 - 2020
Coast Salish – Penelakut
When the river went silent from the sounds of salmon splashing up stream, the people realized there was something wrong. There were no salmon in the river. The people gathered along the shore and up stream to find the cause. They discovered the Supernatural Killer Whale set claim to the mouth of the river. The people paddled their huge war canoe out to the Orca, banging on the sides of the canoe. For four days and four nights they sang their songs to the Thunderbird and soon he appeared and locked in a fierce battle. The Thunderbird was victorious.
Thetis Island Port Commission Recognition Medallion
At S’a’thus in the traditional territory of Coast Salish people, circa 1900, the Federal government constructed our community dock. The S’a’thus – Preedy Harbour dock was one of hundreds built on the coast by government to provide commercial access to islands and remote areas.
In 1994, the Federal government decided to divest these docks; ownership of the Preedy Harbour dock was transferred to the Cowichan Valley Regional District by agreement between Thetis Islanders and Penelakut Nation. Thetis Island Commission administers the dock.
This medallion honours that agreement, a symbol of goodwill between neighbours.
Yellow Cedar - Abalone - Paint
On Loan from the Thetis Island Port Commission
THETIS ISLAND MAP
Bill Dickie ~ Artist
Mary Forbes ~ Artist
Lynda Poirier – Researcher
2005
Pencil, Coloured Pencil, Watercolour Pencil on Paper
Created for the Islands in the Salish Sea - Community Mapping Project which engaged thousands of people from the area, with participation from many diverse groups in the collection of information. Over 30 local artists created maps using their artistic voices to visualize the social, scientific and historic information gathered, in beautiful, expressive ways.
Sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance of BC
Prints available for Sale: hello@forbeshall.ca
ART AND DISPLAY COMMITTEE
The members of the Art and Display Committee of the Thetis Island Community Association ensure that there are interesting and engaging works of art on display at Forbes Hall.
New selections are shown throughout the year.
If you have a piece of art to loan or donate, please contact Ellen Rush or Carol Sowerby at:
