The University of British Columbia-Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, FP Innovations, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Aboriginal promote the artistry and design of traditional Northwest Coast art through a unique educational program that will deliver hand-carved western red and yellow cedar doors. We aim to celebrate the story-telling nature of traditional BC Aboriginal art while also promoting coastal communities and their unique talents. Carving instructor Xwalacktun mentored 5 participants in the Emily Carr Aboriginal Gathering Place
James Harry: Coast Salish & Kwakwaka’wakw;
Edwin Neel: Kwagu’ł & Ahousaht
William Callaghan: Tlingit
Lyle Mack: Nuxalk
Chazz Mack: Nuxalk

The project ran for the month of June.
We invited qualified Aboriginal artists from B.C. communities to apply for this unique educational program that provided participants with free training/mentorship with an advanced carver. The participants own the completed cedar door panels and retain complete intellectual property on their designs. In return, they agree to have their completed panels displayed at selected venues and exhibited at the Yaletown Roundhouse in October 2015. From our established partnership with a door manufacturer, and with the consent of the artists, selected doors may become part of a high-end line offered by the door company, including limited edition reproduction doors produced digitally with a CNC machine. We believe that the final doors will provide a creative product that is unique in design and attract consumers that appeal to a story. There is an exhibition of the door panels titled “Opening Doors” in October 2015 at the Yaletown Roundhouse. The exhibition will also include a panel presentation and a gala opening event on October 6th.