An exhibition in Gallery III, September 15 – October 20, 2023

“Meet the Artists” Reception: Friday September 15, 5:00pm-7:00pm at Sivarulrasa Gallery. Artists Nish Nabie, Deborah Arnold, Dale Dunning and Darlene McLeod will be in attendance.

Opening Ceremonies at The Seven Gifts installation site: Sunday September 17, 1:30pm-4:30pm, Riverfront Park, Almonte, Ontario.

Sivarulrasa Gallery is delighted to partner with Mississippi Mills All My Relations (MMAMR) to jointly present “The Seven Gifts” exhibition from September 15 to October 20 at the Gallery. The exhibition will feature Indigenous artist Nish Nabie’s seven original wood carvings inspired by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which were cast into bronze to create the Seven Gifts public art installation. The exhibition will also feature audio-visual material by photographer Rik Walton documenting the phases of the  project.

The Seven Gifts is an accessible, educational art installation in Riverfront Park (320 Spring Street, Almonte, Ontario) on the Mississippi River. It celebrates the cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices of the Algonquin Anishinaabe. The process of creating the installation was a cooperative one between an Indigenous artist and a non-Indigenous artist supported by Mississippi Mills All My Relations to reflect the nature of the Truth and Reconciliation process. Artist Nish Nabie is Algonquin from the Kebaowek Territory and is currently based in Renfrew, Ontario. “Sculpture for me at once connects all the spiritual and physical aspects of my life”, he says. Working with stone, artist Deborah Arnold is based in Almonte, Ontario. For her, “Stone carving is a physical, contemplative yet joyous process.” Elder Larry McDermott, an Algonquin of the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, is the Indigenous advisor for the project. Mould-making and bronze casting from Nish Nabie’s original wood carvings were completed by Almonte-based artists Darlene McLeod and Dale Dunning, respectively. The bronze totems were then installed on seven marble pillars arranged in a sacred circle.

The Seven Gifts public art installation has been made possible by the generous support of many individuals, local businesses, and community organizations. MMAMR also gratefully acknowledges funding from the Canada Legacy Fund, Canada Community Revitalization and Recovery Fund, Anglican Diocese Healing & Reconciliation Fund, Anglican Foundation of Canada, and the United Church of Canada Justice and Reconciliation Fund.
 
This public art installation is part of the accessible Wellness Walk sponsored by Age Friendly North Lanark under the umbrella of Carebridge. MMAMR is also grateful to several organizations who have been engaged in the planning and development of this project: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Almonte United Church, Sivarulrasa Gallery, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Plenty Canada, W.R.C. construction company and the Municipality of Mississippi Mills Bicentennial Committee.

See a video from the Seven Gifts installation site! (32o Spring St, Almonte, Ontario)