Rodman Hall Art Centre will host an Indigenous art exhibit called “We Are All Vessels” to explore Indigenous art and traditions during a community event on Wednesday.

The event, held in partnership with local Indigenous organizations, will include a free workshop, live music, exhibit tours and a public talk by Tim Johnson about the meaning and message of Indigenous art.

Johnson is artistic producer of Celebration of Nations (a concert series showcasing Indigenous music) and co-chair of Landscape of Nations (a Six Nations and Native Allies Commemorative Memorial in Queenston), as well as a former associate director for museum programs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.

Elizabeth Chitty, interim grants and programming officer at Rodman Hall, said the art centre regularly showcases the work of contemporary Indigenous artists.

She said the museum “plays a role in addressing truth and reconciliation commission calls to action concerning language, museums, education and commemoration.”

Chitty said students from Soaring Eagles Indigenous schools have been exploring the idea of “vessels” and what it means to be a carrier of knowledge. She said their work, created in response to current Rodman exhibition, Always Vessels, will be featured at the We Are All Vessels exhibit.

Visitors are invited to participate in a free drop-in workshop and to experience both exhibitions.

“Indigenous artists have a critical role in telling their stories and showing the way forward. All of us benefit from seeing their work,” said Chitty.

The full schedule of events is available on the Rodman Hall website.

We Are All Vessels is presented in partnership with the Niagara Regional Native Centre, Soaring Eagles Indigenous Elementary and Secondary Schools, Niagara Catholic District School Board, District School Board of Niagara, Kakekalanicks/Celebration of Nations and Ignite The Spirit of Education, with support from Brock University associate professor Peter Vietgen.