A Saskatchewan art firm is taking steps to increase the Indigenous representation in their collection.
The SK Arts Permanent Collection is putting out a call to purchase Indigenous art from artists across the province.
The agency is especially looking for art pieces that use traditional material in their crafting; objects such as moccasins, bags, jewellery, sashes, blankets, and other similar pieces of art.
Jessie Short, a Metis woman from Calgary, was brought in to help the collection increase its Indigenous representation.
“I think we realized that there was this lack of Indigenous representation especially of these works like moccasins and beads made with tradition material,” said Short. “We also wanted to make sure we acknowledged that this is an artistic practice too and people who are making these types of works are experts in their field and we want to represent them in our art collection.”
Art purchased would be kept in the Permanent Collection vault in Regina. The pieces may then be loaned out for display in buildings and facilities across the province.
(Photo provided by the SK Arts Permanent Collection)