View source for Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art

{{Short description|Art school in Terrace, BC, Canada}}
[[File:Freda D.jpg|thumb|Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art]]
The '''Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art''' focuses on traditional First Nations Pacific [[Northwest Coast Art]] and is located on the unceded territory of the [[Tsimshian|Ts'msyen Nation]] in [[Terrace, British Columbia|Terrace, BC]]; [[Canada]].
Named after the [[Haida people|Haida]] artist [[Freda Diesing]], one of the first female carvers on the modern Northwest coast, aka Kant Wuss, Skill-kew-wat and Wee-hwe-doasl, who was born in the Sadsugohilanes Clan of the Haida in British Columbia to Flossie and Frank Johnson.  Her Haida name, Skill-kew-wat, translates roughly as Magical Little Woman.
At the age of 42, she undertook woodcarving apprenticeships under artists including [[Robert Davidson (artist)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nativecanadianarts.com/artist/freda-diesing/|title=Freda Diesing|website=Da Vic Gallery|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> In 2002, she received an National Aboriginal Achievement Award and honorary doctorate from the [[University of Northern British Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Freda Diesing Biography |url=https://www.coastmountaincollege.ca/programs/explore/freda-diesing-school-of-northwest-coast-art/freda-diesing-biography/ |access-date=7 September 2021 |website=}}</ref>
The school was opened in the Fall of 2006 by one of Freda's students [[Dempsey Bob]] and two of his nephews, Ken McNeil and Stan Bevan.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, Student Exhibition |url=https://www.kitimatmuseum.ca/exhibition/freda-diesing-school-of-northwest-coast-art-student-exhibition/ |website=Kitimat Museum & Archives |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tahltan-Tlingit artist Dempsey Bob says he dedicates his work to his ancestors |url=https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6996143 |website=CBC}}</ref> The school focuses on carving in the Northern Style, with drawing, painting, art history and tool-making courses supporting the carving component of the school.  Dempsey Bob received a  Lifetime Achievement Award in Aboriginal Art in 2007 <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Tahltan-Tlingit artist Dempsey Bob carves his culture |url=https://www.createastir.ca/articles/wolves-dempsey-bob-audain-art-museum |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Stir |language=en-US}}</ref>
The school frequently invites guest speakers for presentations.  These speakers have included [[Robert Davidson (artist)|Robert Davidson]], [[Roy Henry Vickers]], Keith Smartch, Bill McLennan, Greg Schauff, and representatives from the [[Royal BC Museum]], the [[Canadian Museum of Civilization]] and other institutions representing the arts and culture in the Northwest Coast.
The First Nations Fine Arts program is unique as a university credit program, recognized by [[Emily Carr University of Art and Design]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/five-more-murals-to-be-painted-in-downtown-terrace-this-summer/|title=Five more murals to be painted in downtown Terrace this summer|date=20 June 2020|website=Terrace Standard|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/local-arts/craving-for-carving-new-work-draws-on-artists-lifetime-of-experience|title=Craving for carving: new work draws on B.C. artist's lifetime of experience|date=4 January 2018|website=Vancouver Sun|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northernsentinel.com/local-entertainment/vibrant-freda-diesing-art-exhibition-returns-to-kitimat/|title=Vibrant Freda Diesing art exhibition returns to Kitimat|date=26 February 2020|website=Kitimat Sentinel|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/first-nations-art-terrace-1.3437333/|title=Terrace Art Gallery shows work of students from Freda Diesing School|date=26 February 2020|website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)|access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/young-wetsuweten-artist-making-a-name-for-herself/|title=Young Wet'suwet'en artist making a name for herself|date=5 August 2019|website=Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/young-wetsuweten-artist-making-a-name-for-herself/|title=Nakkita Trimble is reviving almost-lost Nisga'a tattooing practices to help youth anchor themselves|date=5 November 2019|website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> that focuses on [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] art and culture in a context where the culture and people who originated it live today.
[[File:Fredadeisingschool.png|left|thumb|2011 - Instructor Dean Heron with killer whale carving made by artist Cliff Bolton]]
As of September 2010, the school had 31 graduates.  In the preceding years the numbers of graduates has grown, and the art First Nations Fine Arts program added a third year.  The students and instructors of the school have won numerous awards.  In 2012 Skeena Reece won the Annual BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations' Art.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Premier |first=Office of the |date=2012-10-12 |title=2012 B.C. First Nations' Art Awards Announced {{!}} BC Gov News |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2012PREM0126-001556 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=news.gov.bc.ca |language=en}}</ref>  In 2013, Dempsey Bob was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Bogstie |first=Ben |date=Feb 24, 2021 |title=Tahltan-Tlingit master carver Dempsey Bob wins national art award |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dempsey-bob-wins-national-art-award-1.5926277#:~:text=British%20Columbia-,Tahltan%2DTlingit%20master%20carver%20Dempsey%20Bob%20wins%20national%20art%20award,Media%20Arts%20Artistic%20Achievement%20Award.}}</ref> Ken McNeil was a recipient of a 2013 BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations' Art.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2013-11-30 |title=Freda Diesing student art show on now |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/community/freda-diesing-student-art-show-on-now-6014981 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}</ref>  In 2018 Nakita Trimble won the BC First Nations Art Fulmer Award.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=2018-12-03 |title=2018 Fulmer Awards in First Nations Art |url=http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/2018/12/2018-fulmer-awards-in-first-nations-art/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |newspaper=First Nations Drum}}</ref>  In 2019 Stephanie Anderson was the recipient of the YVR Art Foundation scholarship award.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2019-06-13 |title=Two Terrace artists receive YVR Art Foundation scholarship |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/community/two-terrace-artists-receive-yvr-art-foundation-scholarship-6039790 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Hsu |first=Katherine |date=June 10, 2019 |title=Celebrating YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Recipients |url=https://www.yvr.ca/en/blog/2019/celebrating-yvr-art-foundation-scholarship-recipients}}</ref>  In 2021 founding member Dempsey Bob won the Governor General's Award for Visual Media and Art,<ref name=":2" /> instructor Stan Bevan was awarded the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art by the province of BC <ref name="terracestandard.com">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-30 |title=Skeena Voices {{!}} Teaching, learning and staying humble |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/community/skeena-voices-teaching-learning-and-staying-humble-6060467 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}</ref> and Jessica McCallum Miller was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation <ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-21 |title=Jessica McCallum-Miller to receive Lieutenant Governor's Medal |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/jessica-mccallum-miller-to-receive-lieutenant-governors-medal-6055186 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}</ref>
==Notable Alumni and Faculty==
*[[Dempsey Bob]], Founding member, Northwest Coast woodcarver and sculptor of Tahltan and Tlingit First Nations descent  <ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />
*Jessica McCallum-Miller, Gitxsan artist, former Terrace City Councilor <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-13 |title=CMTN's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art holds annual exhibit |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/community/cmtns-freda-diesing-school-of-northwest-coast-art-holds-annual-exhibit-6045923 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Binny Paul |date=2022-01-31 |title=Human rights complaint filed against City of Terrace, mayor, councillor |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/human-rights-complaint-filed-against-city-of-terrace-mayor-councillor/article_e4744d36-b4ad-50ab-9678-4690cbde91b7.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |newspaper=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Follett Hosgood |first=Amanda |date=12 Jul 2021 |title='It Was to Silence Me': Former Terrace Councillor Tells Her Story |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/07/12/It-Was-To-Silence-Me-Former-Terrace-Councillor-Tells-Her-Story/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Partridge |first=Kate |date=11 Sep 2023 |title=City apologizes to former B.C. councillor for the systemic racism that led to her resignation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/terrace-council-systemic-racism-1.6963070#:~:text=British%20Columbia-,City%20apologizes%20to%20former%20B.C.%20councillor%20for%20the%20systemic%20racism,name%20is%20Jessica%20McCallum%2DMiller.}}</ref>
*Ken McNeill, Founding member, master carver, instructor <ref name=":3" />
*Nakita Trimble, Nisga'a tattoo artist, author, instructor <ref name=":4" />
*Nathan Wilson, Haisla artist, instructor <ref>{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Sabrina |title=Artist selected to carve new Haisla Bridge Totem Pole |url=https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2024/01/22/artist-selected-to-carve-new-haisla-bridge-totem-pole/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=CFNR Network |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Skeena Reece]], Canadian First Nations artist <ref name=":1" />
*Stan Bevan, Founding instructor <ref name="terracestandard.com"/>
*Stephanie Anderson, Wet'suwet'en artist, instructor<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Lee |date=5 August 2019 |title=Young Wet'suwet'en artist making a name for herself |url=https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/young-wetsuweten-artist-making-a-name-for-herself/ |website=APTN}}</ref>
== References ==
<!--- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically -->
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100921235219/http://fredadiesing.nwcc.bc.ca/index.cfm Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art Website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freda Diesing School Of Northwest Coast Art}}
[[Category:Emily Carr University of Art and Design]]