The new Pentlatch Gallery in Parksville is showcasing Indigenous artwork from across Canada.

Owner and curator Gerald Fuller says the gallery, located at 552 Pioneer Cr., includes art pieces by a broad mixture of well-known and less well-known artists.

香蕉视频直播淲e have vintage prints and also carvings, as well as new carvings,香蕉视频直播� said Fuller, a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. 香蕉视频直播淲e really have a welcoming mix of art forms and purchase price, so the person coming in here can spend $2 or they can spend thousands of dollars, but they get to see it all.香蕉视频直播�

The gallery香蕉视频直播檚 name comes from the Pentlatch people, the original inhabitants of the region. Acknowledging the Pentlatch people through the naming of the gallery helps raise awareness about their history, struggles and achievements, Fuller said.

香蕉视频直播淎rt is a way to really bring cultures together, it really is. It香蕉视频直播檚 the appreciation of art and it really helps everyone,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Fuller finds all the art and says he looks for both original pieces and limited edition prints.

香蕉视频直播淚t has to be Indigenous and it has to benefit an Indigenous person, and that香蕉视频直播檚 what I香蕉视频直播檓 pretty adamant about,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭his is the first Indigenous gallery in Parksville ever.香蕉视频直播�

The gallery recently acquired rare piece 香蕉视频直播� Seagull Mask by Sam Johnson, who worked in the traditional Kwakwaka香蕉视频直播檞akw style using only hand-made tools, according to the Pentlatch Gallery.

香蕉视频直播淧eople will see in this gallery some very rare pieces that you probably won香蕉视频直播檛 find anywhere,香蕉视频直播� said Fuller, who grew up in a house full of art and learned many skills such as silver work, ceramics and taxidermy.

香蕉视频直播淚 learnt a lot of skills but as I got older I didn香蕉视频直播檛 have the time,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚 found the camera was the easiest thing for me.香蕉视频直播�

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Fuller said that when people who live on the West Coast think of Indigenous art, they often think of the Coastal style.

香蕉视频直播淲hen they come in there they start getting introduced to Cree and Ojibwe art and different styles of art,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淎nd that香蕉视频直播檚 what香蕉视频直播檚 really exciting about it.香蕉视频直播�

Fuller was excited to partner with world-renowned artist Roy Henry Vickers 香蕉视频直播� the gallery carries books and prints by Vickers and works with Vickers香蕉视频直播� framer.

香蕉视频直播淲e wanted to keep that quality, this consistency,香蕉视频直播� Fuller said.

The gallery recently hired its first full-time employee and based on the first week open, Fuller anticipates he could end up hiring a few part-timers.

The Pentlatch Gallery is also providing work for people with the knowledge and skills to restore art.

Opening the gallery is a gamble, Fuller said, but he香蕉视频直播檚 got a good feeling and has been encouraged by the number of people stopping to look around and purchase art so far.

香蕉视频直播淭his way, I can enjoy art and then it goes off to a new home, and that香蕉视频直播檚 what I like,香蕉视频直播� he said.

They had a soft launch recently, which was well-attended by the neighbourhood. A full launch is in the works, Fuller added.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 very important to us to have an official opening with a blessing of the land and the building,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e trying to organize that, but everything香蕉视频直播檚 moving along very fast.香蕉视频直播�

In the meantime, the gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

香蕉视频直播淲e have a really good feeling about being here,香蕉视频直播� Fuller said.