Northern Exposure 2008

The Spirit Wrestler Gallery is very pleased to present the work of the graduating class of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art and their instructors: Dempsey Bob, Stan Bevan, and Ken McNeil. The school is part of the Northwest Community College in Terrace, British Columbia and is now in its second year of operation. The gallery is honoured to work with and support this valuable institution and to assist with the development and education of future artists.

The school has taken its name to honour of the prominent Haida artist, teacher, and ambassador, the late Freda Diesing. Freda was a teacher and mentor to many of the current generation of master-artists, and her support and example also inspired many female artists to pursue a career in the arts.

The curriculum for the school was developed under the mentorship of master-carver, Dempsey Bob, who has always understood the importance of teaching to ensure a strong cultural future. Dempsey himself was taught early in his career by Freda—and two of his own former students, Stan Bevan and Ken McNeil, now prominent artists in their own right, are instructors at the school.

A valuable part of the curriculum will be a yearly exhibition which will offer students the opportunity to prepare for and understand the art market. The yearly exhibition will also serve to introduce these graduating students as part of the next generation of Northwest Coast artists.