Carmen Rhoads

Although she did not grow up in the area, Carmen has returned to where her father’s roots lie. Carmen Rhoads, born 1988, is a part of the Nisga’a Nation in Northern BC. Exploring the art and culture – from which her family has been disconnected is her immediate goal, and subsequently, to use the art as a catalyst. Upon discovering the ways and tradition of the Pacific Northwest coastal art, Carmen is obtaining the knowledge to place herself in the culture, find out who she is and to use it to inspire her own art practice, and lastly to teach her father what he did not get the chance to learn.

Carmen began her artistic journey at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta where she earned her Fine Art Diploma. Transferring to NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia she completed her Bachelor of Fine Art Interdisciplinary Degree. Feeling as if her learning was not over, she’s currently enrolled at the Freda Diesing School from which she will receive her second Fine Art Diploma next spring in Terrace, British Columbia. Carmen has participated in numerous group exhibitions, public art displays and sales both in Alberta, Nova Scotia and now British Columbia.

Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art