No experience required, for adults.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite by donation starting at $1. Donations go to Sparrow Arts Society, a not-for-profit organization, which will go towards more workshops by the wasakamapiwak collective. If you would like a free ticket or are unable to obtain a ticket through Eventbrite, please get in touch with sandra@sparrowartspace.com.
Learn how to weave with Cedar for beginners, led by Melissa Victor. Melissa is part of the Wasakamapiwak collective of 11 Indigenous artists living and working in Treaty 7 territory.
The wasakamapiwak collective thanks to the Calgary Arts Development for the Original Peoples Investment Program grant for making this residency possible!
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Melissa Victor, Beader, Mother, Wife, Daughter and Granddaughter, is the proud owner of Kwosel Indigenous Jewelry and Art. Her traditional home is Xwchíyò:m (Cheam First Nation), located in S’ólh Téméxw of the Fraser River Valley. Melissa currently resides in Mohkintsis (Blackfoot, and Treaty 7 territory), also known as Calgary Alberta, Canada.
Kwosel was launched in January 2023, as a desire to connect to her Xwchíyò:m roots. The passion was fueled with the intention to better understand these teachings for her children- blending stories through beadwork and cedar weaving.
She started her journey with Beadwork in 2018 taught by her cousin. That was the beginning of a journey of discovery and experimentation of different beading techniques. She then travelled to her home territories to learn how to harvest and weave cedar in the traditional and sustainable way.
She has since been showcased in exhibitions entitled “Mothers and Matriarchy” (2021) and “Wasakamapiwak Collective” residency (2023/2024)- a wearable art collective.
The name Kwosel was birthed in deep connection to my language of the Xwchiyom people; Hawalq’emeylem. The translation for Kwosel is Star. Named from the inspiration from a BC Knowledge keeper who was gifted a pair of beaded Delica morning star earrings in exchange.