Selkirk College celebrates Teck Metals Ltd. and art
By Contributor
Selkirk College celebrated Teck Metals Trail Operation’s contribution to the Aboriginal Gathering Place, Thursday May 31. Carol Vanelli Worosz, Communications Manager for Teck Metals Ltd., in Trail, accepted a hand crafted metal art sculpture commissioned from B.C. Aboriginal artist, Clint George, in recognition of Teck’s $50,000.00 donation in support of the completion of the Aboriginal Gathering Place on the Castlegar campus.
Clint George, a member of the Penticton Indian Band in the Okanagan, has been crafting metal art as a career for six years. His father, Grant, taught him how to weld when he was a young teen and together they run a business named Iron Indian. Clint considers creating artwork for others an honour because he becomes informed about culture, places, and stories.
The art piece that Selkirk College commissioned for Teck is representative of the relationship between the college and the company and is portrayed in the form of a shield. The scene in the shield represents the rivers and mountains in which the college is located. The eagle represents knowledge and protection which is welded on a red background that represents strength and courage.
George accepted the commission in March and attended the open house on May 31 to deliver the piece himself. Selkirk College Aboriginal Cultural Assistant, Jessica Morin, originally recommended George’s art after noticing his work at an event. “Isaw Clint’s artwork for the first time at one of Iron Indians vending tables at an event in the Okanagan last year. I took a business card from his wife and put it in my pocket hoping to have the opportunity to work with him down the road.”
Selkirk College is honored to partner with a community supporter such as Teck Metals Ltd. in a project that is beneficial to the health and welfare, and cultural experienceof students attending the college. The Aboriginal Gathering Place represents a welcoming and educational environment for students and will be completed for the 2012 fall semester.
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