In observation of National Indigenous Peoples Day, and to celebrate the heritage and diverse cultures of the Indigenous peoples of our province, The Rooms, in partnership with Eastern Edge Gallery, has created a new opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous artists.

In April, as part of the Identity Festival, The Rooms and Eastern Edge Gallery collaborated to present the exhibition ‘Reclamation’, which is currently on display at Government House. The Indigenous Artist in Residence program is a subsequent collaboration stemming from the Identify Festival that received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter program.

Following a call for proposals, artist and illustrator Nelson White, a member of the Flat Bay First Nation Band (No’kmaq Village), has been selected as the recipient of this residency. The residency will take place between September and December 2018 in The Rooms Artist in Residence studio space and Mr. White will work closely with staff throughout the duration.

The residency will culminate in an installation based on the exhibition ‘From this Place: Our Lives on Land and Sea’, in the Husky Energy Gallery at The Rooms. This award-winning exhibition examines identity in Newfoundland and Labrador. The topic of identity is an ongoing and multi-faceted conversation, and Mr. White’s work will create an active and engaging response to the exhibition by creating a continuing dialogue.

Mr. White has attended the Visual Arts program at the Bay St. George Community College, as well as the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. His work has been exhibited throughout Canada and the United States in both group and solo shows and can be found in several private and public collections in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba and Georgia.

Quotes
“Recently at the Indigenous Leaders Roundtable, our government joined Indigenous community members to discuss and advance common interests and goals. As we strive to advance the actions of The Way Forward, and deliver better services and better outcomes for our residents, we continue to be engaged with Indigenous groups regarding economic planning and community development. This residency opportunity provided by The Rooms is another step in that direction to celebrate the rich heritage and diverse cultures of our province”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
Minister Responsible for The Rooms Corporation

“The Rooms has been recognized nationally as a leader among cultural institutions for its inclusive approach to curation. Nelson’s work continues The Rooms’ practice of using Indigenous curators and artists during exhibition development, ensuring an equal voice in our presentation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s history.”
Dean Brinton
CEO, The Rooms Corporation

“I’m excited for this opportunity. My work is a reflection of our community. My intent is to portray Indigenous People as we currently are.”
Nelson White
Artist in Residence

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Learn More
The Rooms – therooms.ca 

Identify: A Celebration of Indigenous Arts and Culture – www.easternedge.ca 

Canada Council for the Arts – canadacouncil.ca/initiatives/new-chapter 

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL , @TCII_GovNL  and @TheRooms_NL 

Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.caJena Mitchell
The Rooms
709-757-8144
jenamitchell@therooms.ca