Gordon Dick Ahtsik Native Art Gallery

GerArt Jewellery: Brushed Gold Vermeil and Sterling silver Necklace

2010-12-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

GerArt Jewellery: Brushed Gold Vermeil and Sterling silver Necklace

Come watch the Artists create their art at Ahtsik Native Art Gallery

2010-12-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday December 19, 2009

Time: 11 to 5:30pm

7133 Pacific Rim Highway

Guest Artists:

Ray Sim – Salish Carver

Dorothy Jarvis – Tsimshian Painter

Erich Glendale - Kwakwaka’ wakw carver

Ahtsik Gallery Artist/Owner: Gordon Dick - Nuu-chah-nulth Artist

Come and see artists create their art in house. Observe wood carving, painting and jewelry making. Traditional singing will also be performed by local singer Aaron Watts. Enter a draw to win a Gift Certificate for Ahtsik Native Art Gallery.

· Gordon Dick feels fortunate to be able to practice his cultural art because his ancestors held onto their identity. Gordon carves jewelry and wood. Presently, he enjoys carving large pieces and structural art for homes and buildings.

· Ray Sim is a Salish artist who has lived in Port Alberni for 40 years and has been adopted by a Nuu-chah-nulth family. He has taught art at various local schools.

· Erich started carving in 1990. He carves in yellow and red cedar. He carves rattles, sculptures, bowls, talking sticks and started carving jewelry in 2006.

· Dorothy Jarvis is a local painter who has reconnected with her Tsimshian roots. “I am deeply moved by scenes of Aboriginal life and the spirits of the great totem poles.” She continues to explore her ancestral lands through painting.

Gordon Dick, Artist/Owner has succeeded in his dream of building and owning an art gallery to promote local First Nations artists. He encourages locals and visitors to come into the gallery, see artists at work, view the art, do some holiday shopping and enjoy refreshments. Ahtsik Gallery is located at 7133 Pacific Rim Highway, Port Alberni.

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery has extended shopping hours up to Christmas from 10:30am to 6pm every day and closing at 4pm on December 24th. We are Closed Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years day. Regular Hours are 10:30 to 5pm Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun.

For more information, contact Gordon Dick at 250-723-3425 or art@gordondick.ca

A picture and 1,000 words: Post-modern native art - thestar.com

2010-10-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

A picture and 1,000 words: Post-modern native art - thestar.com

Some current Art in Ahtsik Native Art Gallery

2010-07-20T15:51:00.001-07:00

Article on First Nations Art Today

2010-07-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

written by Debra Black for the Star

The First Teshaht Man Landmarker carved and raised on Benson Island

2010-07-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

Carved Pole by Gordon Dick: The First Tseshaht Man a Warrior

Inside Port Alberni

2010-05-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Read this news article in the Vancouver sun about the art scene in Port Alberni which covers Ahtsik Native Art Gallery.

Inside Port Alberni: excerpt: On the way out of town, heading west toward Tofino, look out for Gordon Dick's new Ahtsik Native Art Gallery. It carries the work of many renowned Nuu-chah-nulth artists, such as Patrick Amos and Tim Paul, as well as Gordon Dick's own work. Dick is a young but already very accomplished carver --

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Inside+Port+Alberni/3031755/story.html#ixzz0oIuKwXg6

Totem Pole to Honour Residential School Survivors

2010-05-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Totem Pole Carved to Commemorate Residential School Survivors.

2010-05-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

This 23 foot totem pole weighed 6200 pounds and took the carvers 55 12+ hour days to carve. The pole was commissioned by Tseshaht First Nation and raised Friday April 30^th in front of where the old Alberni Residential School used to be. Gordon dick remembers tearing down the residential school building that his grandparents, uncles and aunts attended. A number of atrocities occurred to First Nations children from all over the province who had to attend by government law. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation has recently expired and was put in place to help the Residential school survivors heal from the multiple trauma’s endured though out the years they attended the residential schools. Gordon Dick believes he can carve today because of the survivors who held on to their culture despite not being able to practice traditions of First Nations culture. It is a lifetime journey of healing for the Residential school survivors and Tseshaht First Nation hopes to build a wellness center. Creating this totem pole was an effort to help turn the page from past wounds and rebuild First Nations culture.

At the top of the pole is a Thunderbird which is often placed at the top of poles because it is a powerful bird from the spirit world. There are many stories of the thunderbird and how it helped to keep balance with resources on the west coast. The middle section of the pole is the first female ancestor to honor women. There are stories in Nuu-chah-nulth culture about her witnessing the thunderbird transform into a man. The man was in a thunderbird cloak. She is holding a drum with an Art Thompson design of a male and female wolf to remember his courage in speaking out about the abuses which occurred to him at Alberni Residential school. (Please read this New Article by Quintin Winks for the Alberni Valley Times. for information on the recognition of Art Thompson.) The bottom figure is of a Sea Wolf which is a killer whale transforming into a wolf that symbolizes family and protection. To view more photos of the pole go to the Ahtsik Native Art Gallery Facebook page.

The Head carver of this pole commissioned by Tseshaht First Nation is Gordon Dick,owner of Ahtsik Native Art Gallery. He first worked under Tim Paul to carve the Totem Poles at the Tseshaht Tempo Gas Station On Pacific Rim Highway, Tim Paul was on hand to provide guidance to Gordon for this pole. Gordon is from the Tseshaht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth people.

Erich Glendale is a Kwakwaka’wkw carver and lives on the Tseshaht reserve. Erich has carved wood for many years and this is the first time he worked on a wood piece this scale.

Alex Spence came in the help during the last week to carve and paint the pole. He is from the Haida Nation.

Tseshaht Land Marker

2010-03-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

This totem represents the first Tseshaht man with a whalebone war club. I carved it out of Red cedar. I was commissioned by Tseshaht First Nation to carve this totem. It will be erected in Barkly sound on Benson Island this year. It was an honor to carve this land marker of the Tseshaht territory.

Ancestral Translation: Through a Painters Palette

2010-01-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

Artists Reception Friday March 5, 2010 7pm
RSVP Tickets art@gordondick.ca 250-723-3425

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery is hosting a Group Art Show of current First Nations Painter’s. The show is entitled, Ancestral Translation: Through a Painters’ Palette. The Theme focuses on current issues that we need to deliver to our children and children’s children using teachings from our ancestors and conveying the message in a format the next generation with identify with. Show includes seasoned as well as rising First Nations Artists. Some of the artists participating are; Andrew Dexel En-paa-uk, Patrick Amos, Candace Campo, Dorothy Jarvis, and painted drums by Patricia Soop. A variety of painting styles are represented from traditional realism to traditional contemporary.

Artists At Work

2009-12-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

NATIVE ART GALLERY HOSTS ARTISTS AT WORK

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery
Date: December 20, 2009
Time: 12 noon to 5pm

Guest Artists:
Samuel Haiyupis– Nuu-chah-nulth Carver
Dorothy Jarvis – Tsimshian Painter
Erich Glendale - Kwakwaka’ wakw carver

Ahtsik Gallery Owner: Gordon Dick - Nuu-chah-nulth Artist

Come and see artists work in house. Observe woodcarving and painting and jewelry making. Enter a draw to win Prizes.
• Gordon Dick will be carving jewelry.
• Sam’s family is rooted in the traditions and teachings of the Nuu-chah-nulth people. The strength of family and the cultural teachings of his elders are very important to him. He was taught values of art, song, dance, and medicine.
• Erich started carving in 1990. He carves in yellow and red cedar. He carves rattles, sculptures, bowls, talking sticks and started carving jewelry in 2006
• Dorothy Jarvis is a local painter who has reconnected with her Tsimshian roots. “I am deeply moved by scenes of Aboriginal life and the spirits of the great totem poles.” She continues to explore her ancestral lands through painting.

Gordon Dick, Artist/Owner has succeeded in his dream of building and owning an art gallery to promote local First Nations artists. He encourages locals and visitors to come into the gallery, see artists at work, view the art and do some holiday shopping.

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery opens from 10:30am to 5pm every day until December 24th. We are Closed Christmas day and New Years day. Regular Hours 10:30 to 5pm Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun.

For more information, contact Gordon Dick at 250-723-3425 or art@gordondick.ca

2009-12-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

2009-12-08T16:23:00.000-08:00

Gordon Dick Wins Artist of the Year Award for 2009

The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation has awarded Gordon Dick, Artist of the Year Award for 2009. Gordon has his own style within the Nuu-chah-nulth art form. He prides himself on providing quality work. He uses a thick gage so that his carving lines can be more dimensional. He sculpts each of his lines for added depth. In addition to jewellery, he has created art forms from metal such as a bentwood box. Gordon’s jewellery has been sought after across Canada. He has also done works of art for Insight Films who gifted the following actors with a sea serpent pendant for Actor Steven Seagal; a hummingbird gold bracelet for Actress Ashley Judd; and a wooden mask of an eclipse was commissioned as a gift to Actor Goran Visnic.

Gordon currently has expanded into larger wood pieces. He is finishing the details of a kingfisher with copper feathers and eyes.

He is working on a Tseshaht land marker to go on Benson Island for the Tseshaht Band. It is a warrior figure with a war club. The pole is to be raised in the spring of 2010. He is being commissioned to do a large door for a new house in Tofino. Gordon enjoys doing structural art for homes and buildings. He has been busy with his new gallery and commissions. He is honored to have received recognition for what he loves doing. He appreciates the clients who admire his work.

AHTSIK NATIVE ART GALLERY HOSTS ARTISTS IN HOUSE

2009-11-19T16:33:00.000-08:00

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery Open-house.
Date: November 29, 2009
Time: 12 noon to 5pm
Snacks: Traditional bannock and salmon and chumas (dessert)

Guest Artists:
Kevin Titian – Nuu-chah-nulth Artist
Marie Samuel – Nuu-chah-nulth basket weaver
Erich Glendale – Kwakwaka’ wakw carver

Ahtsik Gallery Owner: Gordon Dick - Nuu-chah-nulth Artist

Kevin Titian started traditional art in 1999. At the beginning of his career, he was taught by Ray Sim. He then developed a style of his own. He integrates his woodworking skills with Native art. Some of his art is functional art such as: tables, frames and candle holders. He creates his own designs with paint and inlays abalone into red or yellow cedar.
Marie was born in 1945. Her grandmother groomed to be a basket weaver and started her at the age of 5 years. At that time, small baskets used to sell for 25 cents. The last time Marie was able to basket weave with her grandmother she was 16 years of age. She stopped weaving for a while when she was raising her family then started again in 1995. Marie learned to pick her own grass and cedar bark from her late aunt. Marie does exceptionally fine weaving. She will soon be making her first Maquinna hat.

Come and see artists work in house. Observe woodcarving and basket weaving. Gordon Dick will be carving jewelry.
Nuu-chah-nulth cultural stories will be shared by artists at 2pm.

Gordon Dick, Artist/Owner has succeeded in his dream of building and owning an art gallery to promote local First Nations artists. He encourages locals and tourists to visit the gallery, see artists at work, view the art, do some holiday shopping and hear cultural stories.

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery opens from 10:30am to 5pm Thursday to Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesdays.
For more information, contact Gordon Dick at 250-723-3425 or gordondick@shaw.ca

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery

2009-02-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery opened December 13th. 10% of pre-Christmas sales were donated to BC children's Hospital.
We are located at 7133A Pacific Rim Highway.
On your way to Tofino/Ucleulet on the West coast of Vancouver Island or on your return - Plan to stop and peruse high quality Westcost Native Art. 900sq foot gallery of hand carved maskes, panels, fingures, head dresses, bentwood boxes. Carved jewellery in silver and gold and white gold. Artist Owner: Gordon Dick and 23 outher artists: Tim Paul, Mark Mickey, Paul Sam, Qwayaciiq Sam, Jerry Sampson, Cutis Wilson and George Littlechild.

Grand opening planned for April
with 1st Art show

2008-08-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

Ahtsik Nativew Art GAllery. Red cedar siding up

Kingfisher

2008-08-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

This is a Kingfisher that I carved for the front entrance of my gallery.

MY Teachers

2008-08-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

My teachers are my grandparents: Allan and late Agnes Dick. My grandmother was an eagle and my grandfather is a wolf.

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery Construction begins

2008-03-26T16:47:00.001-07:00

I am achieving one of my Goals of building a First Nations Art Gallery that will carry other First Nations Artists work as well as my own. The gallery will be called:

Ahtsik Native Art Gallery

It is Located on the Pacific Rim Highway on Vancouver Island heading out of Port Alberni on the way to Tofino, B.C.