We are delighted to introduce this year’s Artist in Residence!
Meet Dana Belcourt, a multidisciplinary mixed Cree/Métis artist from Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). With experience in a wide range of mediums, Dana will be sharing their expertise with SJS students throughout the rest of the year. We sat down with Dana to learn more about them and what’s in store for the year ahead.
Thank you for joining us Dana. Let’s go back to the beginning—when did your passion for art start?
I was always an artist. My mom said the only way she could get me to stop fussing as a kid was by putting a pencil or crayon in my hand. But I believe all kids have that creative mindset. I think I retained it because I was in an environment where creativity was really fostered and valued. It was in my Grade 11 or 12 year that I started taking art really seriously—in my IB art classes actually. And it’s continued from there.
How did being a part of the IB Programme help you grow as an artist?
I went to a K-12 school in Edmonton called Victoria School for the Visual and Performing Arts, where I was able to take IB courses. Overall, I think it allowed me to take my art practice more seriously, due to the class structure and syllabus. During the Diploma Programme the teachers at school started expecting more from us and really began to treat us as people coming into our own thoughts with unique perspectives. This rise in expectations from our art teachers pushed us to go further and become more creative. It was a great way to take my art to the next level, and having the support of a teacher who believed in all of us, made a huge difference in my life and in my journey as an artist.
What did your art journey look like in the beginning?
I started by creating fan art. I was a big fan of cartoons, I liked anime and a lot of learning came from wanting to draw the characters I liked. Then I would draw them over and over again and honed my art skills that way.
How did the BFA program at Emily Carr help you as an artist?
I think it helped my growth a lot, mostly because I chose classes based on the professors more so than the subject matter. Rather than focusing on the syllabuses I really researched specific professors at the school that I wanted to learn from. It helped me choose Emily Carr in the end and I feel I learned a lot.
What inspires your art today?
I think a lot of my practice is kind of diaristic in nature. By that, I mean it’s very influenced by what I see and feel. My current practice is actually going on a walk and seeing things in the neighbourhood and then returning to the studio and trying to recreate some of those moments from memory. I live on the Downtown Eastside right now, so a lot of those reflections feature fences, graffiti and tags, and sometimes animals too. I’m close to False Creek so sometimes there are characters like geese, or “Cobra Chickens” in other words. The emotional undercurrent of these walks creates the backdrop for my collage-style paintings of all the things that I’m seeing.
And what’s your approach to the year as the Artist in Residence?
I’ll incorporate a lot of my current practice, and I’m proficient in quite a few different mediums. I do print making, zines, writing and also video work. So I can tailor projects to different groups of students. Being a multidisciplinary artist really works in my favour when working with a large body of students, I’m able to do many things.
What are you most looking forward to joining SJS this year?
I’m excited to work with such a big team! My work experience is mainly in smaller galleries and artist-run-centres with a small team. Being able to work with such a big group of staff and students will be a refreshing challenge and opportunity.
And when you’re not working, what do you like to do?
Aside from my artistic practice, I also enjoy reading and writing! Other hobbies of mine include playing chess, going on walks and playing guitar.
Thank you very much to Dana for sharing more about their practice and background. We can’t wait to see what they create with the students this year.
The Artist in Residence is made possible through the generosity of our community through Annual Giving. Your support enables initiatives that enhance the student experience, giving them the chance to learn directly from experts. Help create future opportunities by visiting sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
