Indigenous Artist Project – Voices of Mother Earth
Lynnwood Arts is proud to be hosting Voices of Mother Earth, a powerful new exhibition celebrating Indigenous creativity, storytelling, and cultural knowledge. This four-month public exhibition beginning May 21st brings together the work of five Indigenous artists from the region, offering a meaningful platform for Indigenous voices while fostering cultural learning and community connection.
Through diverse artistic practices, the exhibition explores identity, tradition, language, and the deep relationship between people and the land. Visitors are invited to engage with artworks that reflect both personal narratives and shared histories, creating space for dialogue, reflection, and understanding.
The exhibition will open with a public celebration at Lynnwood Arts on May 21 from 6:30–9:00 PM, welcoming community members, partners, and media to experience the artwork and meet the artists.
Voices of Mother Earth invites visitors to experience the richness and diversity of Indigenous artistic expression while deepening connections to culture, community, and the land.
Featured Artists:
Eric Martin (Stone Carver)
Gwiish Koshi Nodini (Whispering Windz) is his traditional name, and he is a member of the Bear Clan. A self-taught artist, Martin began stone carving in 1996, creating sculptures from soapstone, marble, alabaster, gypsum, and limestone. He also works with antler, bone, wood, metals, precious and semi-precious stones, and occasionally ice. His practice includes pipe making and ink prints. Eric’s work is held in private and public collections worldwide, including Mount Sinai Hospital, where one of his carvings is part of the permanent public collection, and the Harbour Village Museum, which houses both a sculpture and a wampum belt. He also designed the cover of Native Foods the Native Way for the Ontario Agri-Food Education and Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario, and created the Tree of Peace cancellation stamp used by the Six Nations Post Office.
Savannah Skye-Smith (Bead Artist)
Savannah is a mother of three children who began beading in 2013 and quickly developed a passion for the art form. Drawn to art as a form of expression, she finds beading both calming and rewarding, allowing her to bring her creative visions to life. She is proud to represent the Six Nations community through her work and enjoys sharing her culture and knowledge with others while being a positive role model.
Michael Barber (Painter)
Michael’s work is largely autobiographical, examining his personal history and the impact of the Residential School system on members of his family. Barber’s work has been exhibited across the province, including at the Woodland Cultural Centre and Glenhyrst Gallery. His work is held in public and private collections throughout Canada and the United States, including those of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and The Co-operators Group. Michael has been a featured artist in the Indigenous Art Exhibit since its inception in 2022 and BHNCDSB is thankful for his continued support.
Lindsay Martin (Textile Artist)
Lindsay integrates the Haudenosaunee calendar into her arts-based teaching throughout the school year. She uses storytelling and visual arts to support learning with BHN students, engaging them in culturally grounded practices such as moccasin making, beadwork, midwinter ceremonies, traditional clothing, seed teachings, and the creation of corn husk dolls.
Kelsey Powless (Wood Mosaic Artist)
Kelsey began her woodworking journey in 2018, quickly developing her skills on the scroll saw and launching Powless + Co. just a few months later. Over the past six years, Kelsey has brought her original designs to life through handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces. Her work reflects a deep commitment to supporting the revitalization of Indigenous culture and languages. While she sees this as a lifelong learning journey, Kelsey believes her art can help spark meaningful conversations and connections within the community.