Terrace, BC – The Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art studio at Coast Mountain College’s Terrace campus is bustling with activity this week as students get to work as part of the program’s newest offering – a third year Advanced Diploma.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Indigenous artists to continue growing their skill sets in jewellery making and carving while learning more about the business side of marketing their work,” says world-class Tahltan/Tlingit/Tsimshian carver and instructor, Stan Bevan. “We are really excited to see a third year offering in this unique program.”
The new Advanced Diploma is a 10-month program meant to enhance skills and confidence of graduates of the second year First Nations Fine Arts diploma. The program is a combination of business courses, jewellery and sculpture making with a mentoring approach to learning to increase confidence in moving forward in their artistic careers.
“Having completed the first and second year program, I wanted to hone my skills in terms of jewellery making,” says award-winning Nisga’a/Tahltan student Jamie Nole. “Being able to continue learning under world-class artists in a studio that feels like home is amazing.”
The Advanced Diploma students participate in field trips and public art exhibits to build on their skills of displaying, promoting and selling their own creative work. Students will create three projects in silver such as a ring, pendant and bracelet. In sculpture they will create a project of their own conception and planning as approved by the instructor. The sculptures may include frontlets, rattles, clan hats, small totems or other projects as determined by skill and creativity. Students are starting with jewellery making under the instruction of accomplished Gitxsan artist and Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art alumnus, Arlene Ness.
Registration for the first and second year programs at Coast Mountain College’s Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast art is still open for the fall semester. Prospective students should contact Stan Bevan at sbevan@coastmountaincollege.ca