Application

Apply now to participate in
the Art of Reconciliation

Open to everyone over the age of 18 from all cultures and backgrounds. Participation is free and no prior art making experience is required.

Our Vision

To create impactful public art exhibitions that will act as a springboard for Reconciliation in our communities.

We believe that if Reconciliation is to happen, we need to learn from one
another, form new friendships and take action together.

We use Indigenous ways of knowing, teachings and cultural sharing throughout the project.

The Art of Reconciliation is dedicated to serve and attend the communities located in the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples including the lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations in the Greater Victoria, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations (W̱JOȽEȽP [Tsartlip], BOḰEĆEN [Pauquachin], SȾÁUTW̱ [Tsawout], and W̱SIKEM [Tseycum]) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, and to the west the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations. We respectfully acknowledge that we live and learn within these traditional territories.

What is the Art of Reconciliation?

The Art of Reconciliation is a program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to help them explore how they feel about reconciliation. Participants are invited to create artwork based on their own personal perspectives of what Reconciliation means to them. The art making process follows a series of preparatory workshops to help them explore the theme of Reconciliation while being supported therapeutically by an Art Therapist. Participant’s final artwork and their artist statements are thus the result of weeks of reflection, group discussion and deep learning. Public exhibitions help bring the broader community into the Reconciliation dialogue.

Guiding principles

Core to the design of the project is equal representation from both Indigenous People and Canadian Settlers. We believe that if Reconciliation is to happen, we need to learn from one another, form new friendships and take action together. The project partnership between Debbie (Settler of European Descent) and Tanya (Teme-Augama Anishnabai) role models this aspiration. We use Indigenous ways of knowing, teachings and cultural sharing throughout the project.

The Art of Reconciliation is a 2-month program that takes place on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən People (Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and the WSÁNEĆ First Nations.