6 Terrace Review — Wednesday, May 23, 1990

In searc

Last week world-renowned
native artist Roy Vickers was in
the Terrace area. Vickers has
been commissioned to create a
painting of local scenery as a
fundraiser for the Dr. R.E.M.
Lee Hospital Foundation. Two
limited edition prints. —
numbers 2 and 50 — will -be
available for auction at the sec-
ond annual Celebrity Roast and
Auction to be -held Saturday,
June 16 at the Inn of the West.

by Betty Barton

Vickers himself will keep the
first of the total of 50 prints.
The others: will be for sale at
Northern Light Studio, courtesy
of Matt and Kay Ehses. The
original painting, done in
acrylics, will be sole privately,
perhaps to a corporate buyer,
says R.E.M. Lee Foundation
board member David Lane.

Vickers, a Tsimshian native,
was born in Greenville on the
Nass River, spent eight years in

Kitkatla and lived for most of _ . ;
his formative years (age eight to / World-renowned native artist Roy Vickers (left) and Bill McRae, a director of the R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation, survey the

16) in Hazelton. He now resides tumultuous Kitselas Canyon as a possible venue for a painting by Vickers. The Hospital Foundation has commissioned him to paint
in Tofino on Vancouver Island, _ a piece of art for the upcoming 2nd Annual Celebrity Roast and Auction. The proceeds from this event will go towards the purchase
where he paints and owns the of a CT scanner for Mills Memorial Hospital.
Eagle Aerie Gallery. Vickers ) |
remembers fondly his time in ing. Vickers entered into a very second was a view of the Kalum through the Kitselas Canyon or
this area, ‘‘The first time I was “It’s still hard to believe you generous agreement with the River. Why? Because the world who lived on its banks over-
ever off the reserve, my parents can get paid for something you hospital foundation and arrived record chinook salmon was looking the mighty Skeena.
sent us to summer camp at love doing,’® Vickers says of his in Terrace May 16to search out caught there. Vickers, an ardent Vickers says he plays the tape in
Lakelse (Lake).’’ Vickers still art. an inspirational view. He was fisherman himself, wants to his car and gains strength from
has family members in Hazel- Vickers will be 44 years old accompanied by Charlie Meints, catch an over-50 pounder some the people who struggled and
ton. The family later moved to next month. He says, ‘I have the manager of his Eagle Aarie day. He and Meints did spend survived those difficult times.
Victoria ‘to give us-ai educa- maybe’30 more years productivi- Galléry. og one morning on the Kalum, ‘‘Kitselas has always held a
tion,”’ he explains. ty as an artist. And I’ll tryto do . Because he is familiar with the fishing with Kitsumkalum guide mystique for me,’’ says Vickers.
‘I want to spend time giving what Icaninthat time. 1 usedto area and had made a recent trip Richard Boehn. Vickers caught ‘The Kitselas people were some
back to the communities of this think I was apolitical. As an ar- to Prince Rupert to conduct a one — nota 50-pounder though of the most clever. And they
province to repay them for all tist, I now realize | have to take parenting session, Roy Vickers — and Meints had ‘‘a big one’’ were the keepers of the river;
they’ve given me. I feel a great a stand.” already had a few subject ideas that got away. Vickers’ fishing they controlled the traffic. They
responsibility to the small com- § Marlaine Webber, the new for his painting. Upon his ar- escapades are constantly being were a great culture long before
munities especially. I have president of the R.E.M. Lee rival at Mills Memorial captured in his paintings. _ the European influence. Kitselas
positive hope for the future. Foundation, says, “I’ve always Hospital, he announced that The third area that inspires holds a special place in my
You can come from a small admired and respected Roy’s he’d like to further investigate Vickers is the Kitselas Canyon. heart.’’ Listening to the
community with limited educa- work. I contacted Graham, three locales. — He has a cassette tape from the reverence and appreciation of
tion and achieve recognition in Roy’s manager. They immedi- The first was the scene look- Provincial Archives which holds these long-dead pioneers of
whatever field you choose to ately showed a great interest in ing west from Hazelton at the interviews with oldtimers who Kitselas quickly sent Bill McRae
pursue.” supporting the foundation.”’ Seven Sisters Mountains. The travelled on the sternwheelers Continued on page 7

SRS rao mere Le TT

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Sh ae

“Roy Vickers is a phenom- —
enon. His unique and dramatic
artistic style — contemporary
designs which have evolved from
his earlier traditional Northwest
Coast Indian art, has won him a Sp) iz
passionate following,’’ says Ken al | nan _ eee amen
Budd, the executive producer of

Vickers’ book Solstice. Solstice c att Bundle up your water heater
was a Canadian best seller last of: | - in q cosy blanket... and save money.

year and is expected to be on this : Re : maki h ithin th
e r’s best sellers’ list as well. ; ; aking your new pas water neater witnin the next year.
yea : BHWER

The book offers a comprehen- ee ; electric water . Butif you don’t have gas service in
sive look at Vickers’ art ee ate SmMaAR heater more your home, we'd still like your electric
’ Bes ae - i - i
chronologically presenting his ; . energy-efficient water heater to be as energy efficient as
aner : . can save you up to 10% on your household —_ possible. So, when we install the insulating
work beginning with some of his heati blank I gi ;
traditional Indian pieces water heating costs. anket, we'll give you a coupon that s

and th h to hi on. That’s why B.C.Hydro is making you good for a $20 rebate on a new Power
and moves tarougn to nis Con- a cosy offer: a free insulating blanket for Smart electric water heater.

_ temporary designs. your electric* water heater, installed free If for any technical reason your

Vickers is a man of con- ne 3 of charge. electric water heater cannot be fitted with

siderable talents. In addition to pi a co It’s an offer worth $40. an insulating blanket, we'll offer you the
being a painter, he Is a carver, a ee ae ; Natural gas isa convenient and econo- = same $20 rebate.
jewellery and furniture designer, " He mical way to heat water, So if you have a So bundle up. Your water heater will
a musician and a very astute a vr aS gas line into your house, your best option save heat, you'll save on your electrical
businessman. When asked if APA), : . is-to convert to gas the next time you buy a ___ bills, and we'll all save energy.
he’s ever been a teacher of any MA tarT\\ AM water heater. To help you out, B.C.Hydro, To arrange for a contractor to install
of these skills, he laughed and Hm 1 art 2 . along with your gas company, will give you the water heater blankel, call
said, ‘I’ve got lots of patience Wi a Q: a $150 cash discount if you purchase a Lawrence Watson
with horses, but little with peo- ‘WA \2asg ae | fe | at 638-0140

ple., Eventually, I'd like to be | — ee | eva 10 a.m.-6 pm.
able to train an apprentice in the : - BG hydro QA8 = Monday thru Friday
skills I’ve had to learn for : .

ies “For safety reasons natiral Ras, propane and oll-fired water heaters do net quuelify for this offer.
myself vitor fortwovenrs, oe Co ~ Applies to B.C.Hydro customers only.
K’san in Hazelton for two years, | 7 |

but he lias no other formal train-