My next visit was to the Museum Of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Where a previous post was focused on contemporary First Peoples woodcarvings the MOA offers insight into the past with the history of these carvings told through artifacts.

The museum was started more than fifty years ago and now houses some 535,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects, many of which originate from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. It is Canada’s largest teaching museum and its collections, exhibitions and programs are renowned for giving access and insight into the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world.

When I arrived at the information desk I was informed that there was a tour starting immediately so I quickly joined it and took advantage of an excellent presentation by a well informed staff member. I was treated to glimpse inside the rich history of Canada’s First Peoples as told through their woodcarvings. In addition to the long term exhibits I also got a chance to view the visiting ‘Treasures of the Tsimshian from the Dundas Collection’ which included 48 pieces collected by Rev. Robert J. Dundas at Metlakatla, BC, in 1863.

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I got to spend an enjoyable day in Vancouver’s Stanley Park recently. The high point of the day was my visit to Totem Park where there is an excellent display of eight different Totem poles that represent a variety of woodcarving styles and artists. The Totems range in size from an estimated 12 to 25 feet and all but one is brightly painted. It is easy to see why this is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in British Columbia!

The Totems on display are the Oscar Maltipi Pole, the Beaver Crest Pole, the Chief Wakas Pole, the Sky Chief Pole, the Thunderbird House Post, Ga’akstalas, Kaka’solas, and the Chief Skedans Mortuary Pole. Unfortunately the Beaver Crest Pole is hidden in the above photo. It resides on the left-hand side of the display sort of behind the Oscar Maltipi Pole. (guess I’ll have to go back to get better photos )

Also on display at the park are three huge 15 foot tall ‘gateways’, entitled “People Amongst the People” which were designed and crafted by Coast Salish carver, Susan Point. This is a new addition to the park, in fact, the unveiling for it was within days of my visit. Since Totem Park is located in Coast Salish territory and the Totem poles were made by the Kwakwaka’wakw, Haida and Nisga’a it is nice to see that the Coast Salish are finally being represented here.

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While in Vancouver recently I had the chance to drop by Hill’s Native Art at their Gastown location. With five outlets in British Columbia, Hill’s is the largest Northwest Coast Native Art Gallery in North America, and has acquired the largest and most varied collection of First Nations and Inuit arts and crafts. They exhibit hundreds of works by emerging and internationally renowned artists that represents every Tribe and Nation of the Northwest Coast.

I was treated to three floors of some of the finest carvings and art that I have ever seen! There are masks, totems, bentwood boxes, sculptures, wall panels, feast dishes, talking sticks and much more by such artists as Susan Point, Jerry Whitehead, Jim Charlie and George Storry, to name just a few.

In addition to wood carvings they also have an extensive showing of hand-carved jewelry, baskets, drums, paintings, bead work and their famous Cowichan knits. They also have quite a large book section related to Native art.

Here are some photos of the carvings that are displayed there:

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While on a recent visit to Sacramento, California I had the opportunity to visit a Woodcraft store. Now, at the outset, let me say that this post may not be of interest to some of my American friends who have one of their stores nearby. To you, this may not seem to be a big deal but for years I have wanted to visit a Woodcraft store, not only because of the good things that I heard about them but simply because this was another woodworking store to visit. You know, as woodworkers, we can never pass up an opportunity to go tool shopping!

This location, though not all that large, was stocked full of, well, I guess everything that a woodworker would need. There were woodturning tools, woodcarving chisels, exotic woods, planers, table saws, bandsaws. lathes, books, pen making supplies, safety equipment, hardware and much, much more.

As you can imagine, this was a woodworkers dream, to visit a new woodworking store and to see an array of products and tools, particularly those not available at home. For those of you, who like me, have never been to a Woodcraft store, here are some photos that I took on my visit:

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