Social Arts with Melanie Schambach
Engaging individuals, communities, and institutions
in creating public art working collaboratively through
different participatory formats on specific social issues.
StoryPaintings:
‘Our Painted Responsibilities'
This mobile mural was an extension to the 2014 Totem Pole Journey, where a 20-foot-long totem pole carved by Lummi Indian Master Carver Jewell James travelled with his family 6,000 miles along proposed fossil fuel export routes to honor, unite and empower communities in the destructive path of coal and oil exports.
From the Columbia River Basin west to the Salish Sea and back east to the Alberta tar sands, the mural offered a space to listen, witness, and express. Youth, elders, activists, students, educators, researchers, healers, artists, indigenous and non-indigenous people, migrants, and impacted communities reflected through paint on our day-to-day connection with mother earth, and our shared responsibilities to protect her.
For more information, please visit www.ourpaintedresponsibilities.com
"When the tree, and the rock, and I, become one..."
"The waves of life and the boat of fait will sail you to your destiny" (Eliza F. Julins, Lummi Nation)
"We are care takers and we have a responsibility." (Al, Beaver Lake Cree Nation)
“Its time for you to stand up for something. Warrior up” (Ta’ah Amy George, Tsleil Waututh)
"This dancer is gifted to help open the door to the spirit world and speaks to the Great Mystery on behalf of the ones who need healing" (Adrian LeChance, Plains Cree)
“Enough (greed) is enough” (Anonymous, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation)
"Children are the backbone of our families." (Clayton Aubichan, Cree Nation)
"Creator, grandfather, grandmother, ancestors guide us. Keep us strong for the world to hear our voices." (Deanna D. George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
“They said: ‘Don’t bath your baby more than two minutes in the poison water.’ This hurt my heart so bad.” (Ta’ah Amy George, Tsleil Waututh)