Sundog Retreat Carving Program
Helping emerging artists develop the artistic, social and business skills required for personal success.
For more information please call Andrew at (867) 633-4186 or
Emerging Artists
Since 2004, more than forty young people have learned to carve through Sundog Retreat. Although the programs are not restricted to Yukon First Nation students, the carving instructors are primarily from Northwest Coast and Athabaskan traditions.
Current and past participants have been invited to represent the Yukon in other countries and are in demand to offer their services as artists, cultural ambassadors and artistic instructors.
Powerful changes have taken place as the young artists use their new carving skills to move out of a cycle of physical abuse, emotional neglect, justice system involvement, substance abuse and multi-generational effects of residential school. Many participants have not experienced success in a traditional classroom or workplace, but demonstrate noticeable improvements in their outlook and self-esteem.
Carving Projects
The Carving Our Path project runs 44 weeks and supports nine young people (under 30) as they begin to carve and sell their work. We have run variations on this program since 2004. This project is funded by ServiceCanada. Each intake of youth allows for nine participants aged 16-30 to learn carving skills, life skills and business planning/marketing skills. The program is life-changing; youth who have largely experienced failure in traditional school or work opportunities blossom under the individualized attention and their tangible artistic successes. Youth receive a weekly stipend (30 hours at minimum wage) to supplement their initial self-employment income.
The youth participate in nine one-week carving training sessions at the unforgettable Sundog Retreat centre outside of Whitehorse, and attend the downtown studio for the remainder of the year. The retreat model allows youth to enjoy the comforts of great food and a unique out-of-town learning centre, and bring the skills they learn back to “real life” and their daily routines.
Youth selected for the program are referred from First Nation Employment and Training Officers and from local employment service agencies, in collaboration with other youth-serving agencies.
The Journey Far project supports more experienced carvers of all ages. It started in October 2006 and is designed to provide 2.5 years of support to carvers. This project is funded by Yukon Justice, and is similar in structure to the Carving Our Path program, with more advanced carving skills development. Both programs focus on a mix of carving skill development, business and marketing skill development, and life skills/work skills development in order to facilitate successful careers as artists who contribute to the wider community.
The First Nations Art Education project is an opportunity for emerging artists to be hired as instructors to help Yukon First Nation students in the public school system build on their talents early and stay engaged in school. Through this project, students from six schools attend thestudio and are taught by more experienced carving participants. This is an exciting way to pass along skills, increasing confidence for both the instructors and the younger students. This project began in October 2007 and is funded by First Nation Programs and Partnerships, Yukon department of Education.
Artwork
Over the past four years, these young artists have been steadily increasing their fine arts skills and range of artwork (masks, prints, panels, plaques, rattles, paddles, bowls, among other items). The carvers’ art has been sold locally, nationally and internationally. Beginner pieces sell in the $25-125 range, and advanced carvers sell their work for $1,000 - $5,000 depending on size and complexity.
The participants have been featured in four gallery shows at Arts Underground in Whitehorse. Individual participants have also participated in a variety of other shows and sales, and in stores and galleries in Yukon, Alaska and Vancouver.
All art sales through Sundog Retreat are conducted directly with the artists. Visa/Mastercard payments accepted by Sundog Retreat and passed in full to the artist (less credit card charges).
Emerging Opportunities
- increasing development of the Yukon First Nation arts and culture sector
- a more dynamic Yukon First Nation presence on the local and national arts scene
- plans for a cultural exchange with Maori carvers in New Zealand
- plans for a Whitehorse-based series of carvings to enhance tourism experiences for visitors
- an extensive totem pole project via the Carcross-Tagish First Nations, as a contribution to tourism development in the region
- Yukon First Nation educational opportunities for public school students
- positive role modelling and cultural opportunities for Yukon First Nation youth