Current exhibitions
GEORGE CLUTESI: ḥašaḥʔap / ʔaapḥii / ʕac̓ik / ḥaaʔaksuqƛ / ʔiiḥmisʔap
April 16 – July 26, 2025
| 630 Yates St.
Lekwungen territory
GEORGE CLUTESI: ḥašaḥʔap / ʔaapḥii / ʕc̓ik / ḥaaʔaksuqƛ / ʔiiḥmisʔap is an exploration of the life and legacy of artist, activist, and scholar George Clutesi. His life’s work left an indelible mark on the preservation and celebration of the Nuu-chah-nulth community’s cultural traditions and customs. Featuring an extensive collection of Clutesi’s artworks, the exhibition further honours his legacy through striking displays of archival photographs and news accounts, a documentary film about his long-lasting impact for residential school Survivors, and artworks from contemporary Nuu-chah-nulth artists and scholars inspired by Clutesi’s activism and scholarship.
Participating artists include Hjalmer Wenstob (Tla-o-quiaht), Timmy Masso (Tla-o-quiaht), Marika Swan (Tla-o-quiaht), and Petrina Dezall (Mowachaht/Muchalaht). Participating University of Victoria scholars are Dr. Dawn Smith (Ehattesaht) and Dr. Tommy Happynook (Huu-ay-aht).
The name of the exhibition, written in the c̓išaaʔatḥ language, honours Clutesi’s many celebrated traits: ḥašaḥʔap (keep, protective) / ʔaapḥii (generous) / ʕac̓ik (talented) / ḥaaʔaksuqƛ (strong willed) / ʔiiḥmisʔap (treasure).
Image: George Clutesi, The Storm, 1959, oil on canvas, private collection.
Exhibition Partners:
Visual Stories Lab Curatorial Collective: Andrea Naomi Walsh, Jennifer Claire Robinson, India Rael Young, and Raey Lee Costain (Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria).
Exhibition Supporters:
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming exhibitions and programs.
tr̓ar̓ iʔ sʕax̌ʷip - interwoven roots
Opens April 2, 2024 — May 31, 2025
Legacy Maltwood Gallery | On on the lower level of the Mearns Centre – McPherson Library
Lekwungen territory
Inspired by childhood memories shared by Elder Jane Stelkia of the Osoyoos Indian Band, tr̓ar̓ iʔ sʔax̌ʷip explores the artistic and cultural legacy of a group of sukʷnaʔqinx (Okanagan) youth who attended the Inkameep Day School on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve in the Okanagan Valley during the World War II era. Members of the Osoyoos Indian Band featuring Taylor Baptiste, Jenna Bower, Jordan Polychroniou, Sheri Stelkia, and Dora Stelkia, join Smyth Chair in Arts & Engagement, Andrea Walsh, in an exploration of contemporary photographic/sculptural installation, Indigenous curatorial practice, language revitalization, and creative research methods that deepen our understanding of history, and provide vital points of departure for cultural revitalization and growth.
Image credits: Taylor Baptiste, Osoyoos Museum Society.
Located on campus, displays artwork from the university's collection through rotating exhibitions.
Walking in Spirit: Francis and Beau Dick
March 1, 2024 — November 2025
First People’s House | UVic Campus
Lekwungen Territory
Before his passing in 2017, cousins Beau and Francis Dick frequently talked about exhibiting their work together. This exhibition seeks to honour that wish and to foster a deeper connection to their relationship as parallel artists and family.
Walking in Spirit is an intimate display of serigraphs by Beau and Francis from the late 1970s to early 2000s, that explore the incredible cultural teachings of their artworks.
Curated by Teresa Sammut with Lorilee Wastasecoot.
Image: Francis Dick, Spiritual Truth, serigraph, 1998.
 |