September 11, 2011 Recently the Hereditary Chief of the Haisla Nation, Derek Wilson, passed away leaving behind a legacy of incredible art works.

Born in 1950 in Kemano, Derek learned of his heritage and Haisla dialect from this elders and created his first cedar carving at 8 years old under the tutelage of his uncle Henry Robertson.  Decades later as he progressed his design skills as a self-taught artist, he transitioned into jewelry carving which became a lifelong devotion.

Featured on this web site are several jewelry pieces, which are currently available beginning here .

His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Centennial Museum and a 1967 museum collection in England. In 1981, one of his gold rings was gifted to Queen Elizabeth, and in 2000 he travelled to Sweden with his brother Barry and uncle Henry to raise a commissioned pole as as replacement for an existing G'psgoalux Haisla Totem [c.1900].

His memorial took place on Friday, September 9th at the Vancouver Friendship Centre.

We'll remember Derek as a gifted artist but, more than that, he was a gentle soul who will be dearly missed.

To view more of his works and biography, we welcome you to view these through our Jewelry and Artist Biographies links.

July 8, 2011 This year, one of the most recognized carvers of his generation passed away.  Russell Smith came from a great family lineage as a descendant of six chieftain bloodlines.

As a young child, he began to learn traditional dance from his elders and became a skilled perfomrance artist as well as an acclaimed wood and jewelry carver.

Born in 1950 in Alert Bay, Russell began his career in 1968 and within a year was asked by Bill Holm to assist in the restoration of a Southern Kwakiutl Long House in Seattle.  He studied wood carving under the tutelage of Doug Cranmer and Larry Rosso at the Vancouver Museum.

With the encouragement of his cousin, Lloyd Wadhams, he began a lifelong passion  in jewelry-making and learned the art of repousse from Bill Reid, Gerry Marks and Phil Janze.

He took on apprentices to teach select artists the various techniques used with the mediums of gold and silver.  In his own unassuming and quiet way, he eagerly shared his knowledge.

Featured on this web site is his Raven Ladle (Box of Treasures exhibition), which is currently available here.

We welcome you to view more of his works and biography through our Jewelry, Sculptures and/or Artist Biographies links.

May 31, 2011 A benefit for the Canadian Red Cross will be held at Tojo's Restaurant in Vancouver on Sunday, June 12th to help those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Jann Arden and The Canadian Tenors will provide an intimate performance for guests, and the event will be emceed by Vancouver's own Vicki Gabereau.

This culinary event will feature the city's top chefs including Japanese Master Chef Hidekazu Tojo and his friends Pino Posteraro (Cioppino's), John Bishop (Bishop's), Wayne Martin (Crave Restaurant), Ned Bell (Rosewood Hotel Georgia), Quang Dang (Diva at the Met) and pastry chef Eleanor Chow (Chambar) to create some of the best cuisine. Vancouver's top mixologists will be serving up fresh cocktails at the bar - David Wolowidnyk (West) and Dani Tatarin (The Keefer Bar).

Subsequent to the gallery's previous participation at Ganbare Japan!, and in support of this cause, a donation of Coast Salish artist Joe Wilson's "Journey of Hope" (red version serigraph - framed) will be in the silent auction (click artist bio here ).

Advance tickets for this event can be purchased by calling 778.877.2390 or email tojosforjapan@gmail.com. Tickets to this unique event are $1000 each. Only a limited number of tickets will be available and will not be for sale at the door.

Journey of Hope is an exclusive limited-edition of 200 (30 x 30") - the "Red" series will be available to purchase at the gallery with proceeds donated by Coastal Peoples Gallery going to this cause.

We welcome you to join us at this event to help raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross in support of their efforts in Japan.

We hope to see you there.

April 25, 2011 The gallery's goal is to raise $7500 for the Japan Red Cross by donating 100% of the proceeds from your purchase of Journey of Hope (a limited-edition serigraph) by acclaimed Coast Salish artist Joe Wilson.

The BC Japan Earthquake Fundraiser held on April 17th was a great success, but there's still time for you to make a much needed contribution.

Just click here to view Journey of Hope and to make your contribution today by purchasing it online or call us directly at 604.685.9298.

April 17, 2011 A benefit concert will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver on Tuesday, April 19th at 7:30 pm to raise funds for the Japan Red Cross.

Ganbara Japan! concert will feature Jon Kimura Parker with members of the Grammy-award Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performing Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 27, K.595, Kokoro Dance, Takeo Yamashiro, Jim Myrnes, Alevin Ramos, The Soujorners, Bill and Saffron Henderson, Doug and the Slugs, Mae Moore, John Ellise, Simon Kendall, 54-40 and Taiko for Tohuku - a collaboration of taiko players of the Lower Mainland.

The City of Vancouver has waived the Queen Elizabeth Theatre's rental fee (for the first time in the City's history) so 100% of the ticket price will go directly to Japan Red Cross through the Japanese Consulate (http://bc-jerf.ca).

In support of this worthy cause, Coastal Peoples Gallery is donating an entirely new print series "Journey of Hope" by Coast Salish artist Joe Wilson (click artist bio here ).

Journey of Hope is an exclusive limited-edition of 200 (30 x 30") - the "Blue" series of 100 will be available for purchase through this event with all proceeds donated by Coastal Peoples Gallery going to this cause.

The BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund anticipates raising $150,000 at this event. 

We welcome you to join us at this event on Tuesday to help in raising relief funds for the people who continue to be affected by the earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear threats in Japan.

We hope to see you there.