iKANADA hosts | Evolution
A Collection of Indigenous Art & Design
supporting the Hamilton Native Women’s Centre
By Brita Brookes, Freelance Michigan, Ontario
With the 16th annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival being held at Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario for the first time, it seems like perfect timing for Ontario’s newest business partnership to hold its first event and fundraiser. Newly formed iKANADA Productions Inc. will launch their first fundraiser on Thursday, November 26, 2009 in Hamilton starting at 6p.m.
The fundraiser, entitled “Evolution | A Collection of Indigenous Art & Design” will be held at the “Studios at Hotel Hamilton”, a new arts, studio and office development sited at the historic Hotel Hamilton of which is undergoing an incredible renovation and rejuvenation. The event which will feature Indigenous art & fashion, a staged Actor’s Studio featuring the soon to be released documentary by renowned Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond | REEL Injun on the trail of the Hollywood Indian, music and a silent auction will be raising money for the Hamilton Native Women’s Centre. All proceeds will be going to the local shelter which provides 24 hour, 7 day a week shelter, counseling and information to women in need regardless of race.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with an Artist’s Reception and the beginning of the Silent Auction. At 7 p.m. Artist’s and Q&A. At 8 p.m. Fashion Evolution, featuring the latest in Indigenous Designs. At 9 p.m. Acclaimed Aboriginal musician Susan Aglukark makes a special guest appearance leading into the rest of the evening’s After Party activities’ including musical performances by 2009 Aboriginal Awards nominee Digawolf, Janet Panic, John Irvine & friends from LMT Connection and more!
iKANADA Productions Inc. consists of Angela DeMontigny and Lee Arden Lewis.
Both partners felt a need for their own evolution and as a result formed the new Indigenous Arts focused production company. iKANADA’s mission is to ‘celebrate Indigenous Artists and to facilitate creativity, empowerment and sustainability’.
When asked about why iKANADA chose the Hamilton Native Women’s Shelter as a cause for their fundraiser, Lee Ardin Lewis stated “both Angela and I understand the needs of services for our sisters in times of struggle. To need the services of a shelter is unimaginable to a lot of people. However, it is unfortunately a reality for too many and the hard work and efforts of these services go unrecognized and all too often, unsupported. iKANADA Productions Inc. is honored, having been given the vision to create Evolution a Collection of Indigenous Art and Design – supporting the Hamilton Native Women's Centre.”
The event venue has had its own evolution as well. Historically the Hotel Hamilton was built in 1887 and housed a Chinese laundry, a casket maker, a painter and a bath house. In 1906 an addition was built on the back and it became the Armoury Hotel which provided rooms for many visiting officers from the local armoury. Throughout the years the hotel changed hands and names numerous times. Just recently, an older visitor to the construction site stated that the hotel was one of the first to have a tavern that served aboriginals and blacks at a time when this was unheard of.
When finished with the renovation, the building will have 18 studios/offices on the second and third floors, and plans for a co-op gallery and fair trade coffee shop on the first floor. The tenant mix for the Studios at Hotel Hamilton includes photographers, painters, sound editors, film producers, a silk screen printer, a singer, and possibly an HR recruitment firm. The common or shared facilities include a board room that can be used by community groups or tenants can use it for trunk sales or exhibitions; and a kitchenette.
For the event, the entire first floor of this new Arts building is being transformed into an “Evolution and Arts” themed space. iKANADA came up with the collaborative idea of utilizing the storefront in the building and has brainstormed some great interior strategies to transform the space into a 2 day event like no other. Using the front large glass storefronts will be custom event signage, at the door will be Flint Eagle working security in full regalia and once inside there will be originally designed art displays, fashion models showcasing the new Indigenous designs and music stage. Great art and people watching guaranteed.
Among the artists showing at the “Evolution” Fundraiser are Dave Maracle (sculpture), Ken Blackbird (photography), work by Tom Wilson aka Lee Harvey Osmond (paintings), Kirk Brant (paintings), Georgina Franki (fashion & traditional arts), Christine Caluya (painting) and Angela DeMontigny (fashion).
Photographer Ken Blackbird who is an Assiniboine member of the Fort Belknap Indian Community of Montana will be showing his breathtaking photos from his travels through Indian Country in Montana, Wyoming and the Canadian Border area near Fort Belknap. Ken’s photography work spans two decades and includes shows at British Museum in London, Montana Historical Society, National Museum of the American Indian, and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.
Visual Artist and Musician Tom Wilson’s colored canvas will be in the show and for sale – Tom is on tour aka Lee Harvey Osmond Band. Tom’s works evoke a unique aboriginal mix of influences.
Special guest visits throughout the event evening are expected and one can only guess who may pop in for a visit with the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards going on just down the street, so many top talents flying in and so many visitors staying in the vicinity of Hamilton. One can only hope that the rumors that will grow around this event are true.
Event Information: Evolution | a Celebration of Indigenous Art and Design
Supporting the Hamilton Native Women's Centre
LOCATION | The Studios at Hotel Hamilton, 193 James Street N., Hamilton, Ontario
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Artist Reception at 6PM | Artist’s Studio 7PM | Fashion Evolution at 8PM | Music 9PM
Friday, November 27, 2009
Meet the Artists & Sale 11AM – 4PM | Silent Auction closes at 3PM
RSVP | Lee Arden Lewis | evolutionrsvp@gmail.com | 613.967.2625
