Introducing Creating Space: Youth Arts Programming at the Caetani Centre

The Caetani Centre is pleased to introduce our new series of youth workshops, Creating Space.

Creating Space: Youth Arts Programming is a series of low-barrier, accessible workshops and open studio time for youth offered in a safe and welcoming environment at the Caetani Centre, once home to lauded artist, mentor and teacher Sveva Caetani.

The program is for under-served and equity-deserving youth to explore their creative talents through various artistic mediums. 

Running from November 2024 to April 2025, interested youth can register for one or more of the Introductory Workshops. After the initial session, there will be weekly Open Studio time following the workshops on selected dates.

Refreshments will be provided at the start of and during each workshop and open studio time.

Upon completion of the art projects, the artist facilitators will guide youth in the preparation and curation of their finished artwork for the exhibition. Youth will be mentored on how to write an artist bio and artist statement, how to choose work for exhibition, and the fundamentals of art curation and installation.

An opening reception, held at the Caetani Gallery, will launch the exhibition and will include readings and presentations by youth participants. The exhibition will then be open to the public for the month of April 2025.

Enrolment for each program is pay-what-you-can. Please contact the Caetani Centre if funding assistance is needed. Participation in the drop-in studio time is voluntary, with an emphasis on creating safe, open and inclusive spaces, and on the processes of exploration, reflection, and discovery.

Interested participants can register online for individual or the entire series of the Creating Space Workshops. For more information, please email creatingspace@caetani.org

About the workshops:

1/ Artist facilitator: Salinger Snarf (he/him)

Workshop title: Self-Construct: Textiles and Mixed Media Design

Workshop date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, 11 am-4 pm.

Studio drop-ins: Fridays, Nov. 15, 22, 28, 29, Dec 6 and 13, 1-3:30 pm 

Course description: Join Salinger in a hands-on exploration of materials as we deconstruct our inner worlds and recreate them as surreal 3D art objects. Participants will stitch, paint, and sculpt their pieces while being able to express themselves in a supportive environment. We will repurpose found objects and building materials, textiles, paints, natural materials as well as synthetic materials. Throughout the making process, participants will be invited to engage in dialogue about various aspects of life, with the goal of getting to know each other and our worlds a little better. 

2/ Artist facilitator: Sienna Belanger-Lee (she/they)

Workshop title: Painting Our Roots: Youth Art on Tule Paper

Workshop date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2024, 10 am-3 pm 

Studio drop-ins: Thursdays Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, and 27, 3:45-5:15 pm

Course description: Youth will explore their personal stories, and connection to the land, through a series of reflective painting sessions. Participants will identify values and narratives central to their identity, then bring them to life through painting on tule paper, a traditional syilx medium. Over the course of six open studio sessions, youth will develop their works for a participant-led exhibition. With guidance from syilx artist Sienna Belanger-Lee, you’ll create a stunning piece of art that reflects your journey. No previous painting experience is required—just your unique vision!

3/ Artist facilitator: Jaz Papadopoulos (they/them)

Workshop title: Paper Trails: Literary Arts (for ages 13-19)

Workshop date: *NEW DATE: Saturday, Jan. 25 , 2025, 10 am-3 pm 

Studio / Library drop-in sessions: 

1) Tuesday January 28th 3:45 - 5:15pm

2) Tuesday February 4th 3:45 - 5:15pm

3) Tuesday February 11th 3:45 - 5:15pm

4) Tuesday February 18th 3:45 - 5:15pm

5) Tuesday February 25th 3:45 - 5:15pm

Course description: Everyone has a story: dive into a transformative creative journey where you explore voice and vision. You'll embark on a series of self-reflective writing prompts to uncover your unique values and personal narrative. Discover how to merge your written expression with mixed-media art as you explore innovative ways to present your story. You'll be inspired by diverse examples and techniques that blend creative writing with tactile visual art.

4/ Artist Facilitator: Odessa Clough (she/them)

Workshop title: syilx Land-Based Art and Design 

Workshop date: TAKING PLACE IN 2025: New Dates TBA.

Studio drop-ins: New Dates TBA

Course description: In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the syilx relationship with the land and their communities. In each studio drop-in, participants will have hands-on experiences with a different traditional syilx skill. In order to explore these skills, we will utilize important materials harvested locally by hand from the land. We will use natural resources such as sp’its’n (Hemp dogbane), cat tails, tule reeds, beeswax as well as a variety of medicines and berries. Join us for a unique opportunity to better understand the Indigenous history of the area and how we can support ongoing relationships that are respectful of the land we live on and the people who were here from the beginning.

5/ Exhibition Curation & Installation

Workshop date: Mar 8, 2025

Studio drop-ins: Tuesdays Mar 11, 18, (Spring Break), Ap 1, 8, 3:45-5:15

Description: Participants will be guided by mentors on how to design, curate, install, and promote an exhibition.

Art world skills such as how to write an artist's bio and statement, how to select work for exhibition, and how to promote one's artwork will be explored, culminating in a participant-led Creating Space Exhibition.

Join us for Creative Reconciliation - A Series of Workshops at the Caetani Centre

Creative Reconciliation offers an in-depth exploration of syilx culture and practice. Held on the first Monday of every month from November, 2024 to March, 2025 (January’s workshop will be on the second Monday), each session provides a distinct opportunity to learn about respectful engagement with First Nation communities, experience traditional storytelling, understand cultural appropriation, and participate in environmental stewardship.

Interactive activities and thoughtful discussions will offer valuable insights into cultural respect and environmental care. Although each workshop is designed to stand alone, attendees are welcome to join any individual session or participate in the entire series.

Each workshop takes place at the Caetani Centre Gallery at 3401 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon BC, on Monday afternoons from 1 to 4 PM.

Although each workshop is designed to stand alone, attendees are welcome to join any individual session or participate in the entire series.

The workshop are as follows:

• Visitor Protocols - November 4, 2024

• Captikwl Study: syilx storytelling - December 2, 2024

• Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation of Culture - January 13, 2025

• Love Letter to Mother Earth - February 3, 2025

• Land Acknowledgements & Allyship - March 3, 2025

  Meet the Facilitators:

Mariel Belanger (c̓ʕ̓n̓c̓ʕ̓an̓) 

Mariel is a PhD Candidate and 2022-25 CGS SSHRC Doctoral Scholarship, the Teyonkwayenawá:kon – Queens University Graduate Scholarship, MFA SSHRC at UBC-Okanagan, UBC-Okanagan Aboriginal Fellowship, and Indian Brotherhood scholarship recipient who was awarded Outstanding Indigenous Masters Graduate Student at the 2018 International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry held at University of Illinois in Champaigne-Urbana. Belanger’s research Digital Embodied Story Practice as Indigenizing Research-Creation Methodology explores digital story-making to subvert coloniality and contributes to the growing body of interdisciplinary artistic scholarship that engages Indigenous community, language, and culture, as a bridge for society telling stories of our time.

Sienna Belanger-Lee
(x̌ixʷutəm, Shongswiigeezus) 

Sienna (she/her) is from the Syilx and Anishinaabe Nations and was raised on reserve at Okanagan Indian Band, located at the head of Lake Okanagan. She is a student obtaining a bachelor's degree in the nsyilxcn/nqilxʷcn language through the Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency program at UBC-Okanagan. Sienna currently resides at nsisul̓aʔxʷ(dry creek) where she facilitates Indigenous planting opportunities as well as her digital arts, language learning, and horse culture.

Each workshop is by donation (a minimum of $5) or pay what you can. Please contact us at the Caetani Centre if you are requiring funding assistance.

Participants can register and pay online for individual workshops or the entire series of the Creative Reconciliation Workshops.

For more information, please contact the Caetani Centre at programs@caetani.org or call 250-275-1525.