BC Ferries, the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and Musqueam Nation revealed today the third of three Coast Salish artistic designs for BC Ferries’ new Salish Class vessels.
Musqueam Nation’s Thomas Cannell designed the artwork that will adorn the Salish Raven. The artwork will also be displayed inside the vessel for customers to view along with a profile of the artist. Thomas’ design depicts the beauty of the powerful, intelligent raven. His bold vision of this majestic bird certainly engages his audience with a new style of Coast Salish art.
In 2015, FPCC issued a call for artists and Coast Salish artists were invited to submit their portfolios for consideration. From 37 expressions of interest, a jury of artist peers and BC Ferries representatives identified a shortlist of nine artists who were invited to submit specific design concepts for the three Salish Class vessels.
In addition to Thomas being selected as one of the three artists, Darlene Gait from Esquimalt Nation was selected to design the artwork for the Salish Orca. Her design was unveiled last spring. The other artistic design by John Marston from Stz’uminus First Nation for the Salish Eagle was revealed last fall.
The Salish Orca will replace the Queen of Burnaby on the Comox – Powell River route this spring. The Salish Eagle and the Salish Raven will begin service to the Southern Gulf Islands later this year.
For more information and to see the design, read the Press Release.