Charles Elliott Of the Coast Salish Nation Charles Elliott is a member of the Tsartlip First Nation, located on the Saanich Peninsula north of Victoria, BC on the shores of Saanich Inlet. As a young artist Charles carved designs on cottonwood bark and styled his own small totem poles and model canoes coached by his father, uncles and encouraged by his mother. Art and woodcarving have been his developing focus over the last 40 plus years, inspired by the love of his Salish Art tradition. Charles? works testify to his dedication to Classic Coast Salish design as he recreates ancient utilitarian art objects and contemporary new works all within the Coast Salish discipline. Charles is very versatile in his creativity and throughout his career has produced a large volume of art objects, ranging from carved animal and bird bowls, masks, plaques, wall murals, doors, alters, candlesticks, talking sticks, totem poles large and small, house posts (structural and decorative), 26 Limited Edition Prints, greeting cards and original paintings. ?I am a self taught artist who has taken a long slow road to gain my knowledge and skills as a wood sculptor and a graphic artist in the Coast Salish tradition. I have done various forms of art from childhood forward such as drawing, painting, woodcarving, printmaking, and clothes designs. I have always created artwork and for the last 30 years I have dedicated my life to the revival of the Coast Salish art discipline, which was in grave danger of being lost. The Coast Salish Art system is Last and LEAST known of the Northwest Coast Art disciplines. I take great pride in saying that Senior Native Artists such as Bill Reid, Henry and Tony Hunt, Simon Charlie, Cicero August, Willard Joseph, Norval Moroussea, Elsie Nelson and Freda Diesong have influenced me. The determination and success of such artists mentioned has been fuel to drive me to my level and confidence and success. I continue to tutor young artists to their point of success on an individual basis and have had many apprentices over time. I have taught in numerous classroom settings, from elementary to college level as well as given lectures on the history of the Salish Art. After my life?s endeavors I am confident and proud to pass on to up and coming generations of Coast Salish youth a very valuable discipline.? Charles continues to share his knowledge formally and informally with individual students, classroom groups, educational institutions, organizations and youth groups. He also continues to support fund-raising initiatives for various organizations; especially youth orientated initiatives through donations of his art. Charles Elliott is a Master Carver; his works are in private collections around the world, in countries such as Africa, China, Japan, Holland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, South America, Canada, British West Indies, United States, England and most Commonwealth Countries. His work can best be seen in private collections and through personal contact and is on display in various public exhibitions throughout Victoria. Charles has Ltd. Edition prints at his home studio for sale and welcomes studio visits to arrange for small or large commissions. ?Charles Elliott PO Box 31, Brentwood Bay, BC, V8M 1R3 Home (250)652-4529, studio (250)652-9564 Cell (250)216-4695 email: charleswelliott@shaw.ca
The inspired voices of teachers are some of the most significant influences of our time, and in a myriad of ways they are empowering children and youth in BC to create a better world. This unique new media project will celebrate teachers from all walks of life and speak to all of us who care about creating lives of depth and meaning – our children, for ourselves, and for our communities. The Teacher as Hero Project will celebrate and highlight the fact that inspired teachers are essential to ensure that deep learning for all ages is possible when these mentors and leaders are acknowledged and supported wholeheartedly in our communities. Inspired teachers are critical to imparting the knowledge needed for the planet’s survival, yet the contributions of teachers remain largely unknown and uncelebrated. The Teacher as Hero Project will do for the subject of “learning” what Al Gore’s film, "An Inconvenient Truth" did for climate change. With passion and conviction, The Teacher as Hero Project will inspire the education field and offer visions of what exemplary teachers can and are doing to inspirit education for global survival.
