Aux confluents de l’Akiawenhrahk
Inauguration of the
Ahkwayaonhkeh Artists' Center
In Méduse, Onyionhwentsïo
September 8, 2023
For more than twenty years, the community of Wendake had dreamed of a place for self-determination, artistic production, and dissemination. Finally, on September 8th, 2023, the Ahkwayaonhkeh Artists-Run Centre opened its doors to the public for the first time.
“We've been talking about this for 20 years. People will benefit from discovering the center and what's happening in Wendake. They used to come to the Pow Wow sometimes, buy moccasins, but that's all. When you're in the art world, you meet lots of people and you're constantly exchanging ideas!” – Teharihulen Michel Savard
Mission
Ahkwayaonhkeh is the very first Wendat artist-run centre, located on the Onyionhwentsïo. Its mission is to promote, develop, and disseminate contemporary Wendat artistic practices. The goal is to support today's artists and promote their interests, but above all to build a legacy for younger generations and those to come, who will be able to benefit from an organization dedicated to them.
“Across Canada, Indigenous artists are the least paid and the least exhibited. It's a difficult path to follow. We don't want our young people to have to go through these obstacles.” – Manon Sioui
In addition to its exhibition program, the center will offer activities and training, conferences, publications, a documentation center, and will provide artists with advice to improve their creative process and access to the art world. It will set up residency programs and other partnerships focused on developing artistic innovations and disseminating works. It carries out these various initiatives in a spirit of equity and promotes collaboration with Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Inhabit the space
Yiheh, welcome,
In Wendat culture, the world is perceived as circular. Within the circle, every being is equal and interdependent. The canvas—used to build tents—and the logs—placed at the four cardinal points—symbolize this circle. We invite you to join us in embracing the spirit of reciprocity that it evokes.
To mark the opening of this Wendat artists' center, which has been a dream for more than two decades, we invite you to contribute to its inauguration by placing an element of nature, an object, an intention, or a reflection in the basket or circle provided for this purpose.
An opening rooted in an alliance
While the center was created thanks to the ideas and perseverance of members of the Wendake artistic community, the Alliance also helped make this dream a reality. After Yanhdawa’, VU wanted to continue its relationship with the Wendat artists who had participated in the project. The Wendat collective, along with Anne-Marie, Jacynthe, and Véronique from VU, took the necessary steps to obtain support from the Canada Council for the Arts’ Strategic Innovation Fund. With these funds, Ahkwayaonhkeh was able to hire an employee dedicated to its activities and take the necessary steps to open its doors. This grant also allowed VU to lend its gallery to Ahkwayaonhkeh, which continues to occupy it with an independent program.
PRESS
Un premier centre d’artistes wendat autogéré à Québec
Un nouveau centre d’artistes wendat à Québec
Ahkwayaonhkeh: “Un legs à notre communauté”
RADIO
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