A new exhibit at the Art House in the Bella Coola Valley will feature works by 17-year-old artist Kashka Clellamin, who holds the traditional Nuxalk name Ximximana.
“In my language this translates to “this first light of day, or the first light from the creator” in simple terms,” Kashka noted in her artist bio.
Her journey in the world of art began when she was 11-years-old.
“Around that time is when Nuxalk form line art caught my eye, I started to gain skills in designing and eventually painting and from there began to love having the brush in my hand and creating new pieces. For me it became a spiritual journey along with the physical art itself.”
Through all the different projects and hours spent designing and painting, she said she has found a true understanding of life and especially her creations and where they come from.
“This road isn’t easy as an artist filled with emotions, burnouts and just feeling exhausted but I’ve built myself up so very far from where I first began.”
Of all the struggles, choosing art as her future and career is her best decision and over powers the bad because it is the thing she loves doing the most and brings her clarity, she said.
“The most important thing I’ve learned is dedication and the determination to get to my biggest goals.”
Her show Power of Water opens May 31 and goes until June 19.
It is her first solo show at the gallery.
Recently she won a scholarship from the YVR Art Foundation and will have a year to do a piece that will then be on display at the YVR International Airport, said Bella Coola Valley Arts Council member Ida Eriksen.
Eriksen organizes regular paint and sip nights and the Art House and said some of her painters are showing off their paintings as well.
“I let them choose up to three paintings to hang,” she said.
Last year Eriken’s brother, Svend-Erik Eriksen organized a show at the gallery titled Namu - Photographs from the 1950s and 60s. It featured photographs he and their father Erik Hugo Eriksen took while the family lived there.
Ida is taking the show to Bella Bella May 26 to 30 at the Quatuwas Heiltsuk Visitor Centre which is open 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
