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.

B次元官网网址淲e have vintage prints and also carvings, as well as new carvings,B次元官网网址� said Fuller, a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. B次元官网网址淲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.B次元官网网址�

The galleryB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淎rt is a way to really bring cultures together, it really is. ItB次元官网网址檚 the appreciation of art and it really helps everyone,B次元官网网址� he said.

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

B次元官网网址淚t has to be Indigenous and it has to benefit an Indigenous person, and thatB次元官网网址檚 what IB次元官网网址檓 pretty adamant about,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his is the first Indigenous gallery in Parksville ever.B次元官网网址�

The gallery recently acquired rare piece B次元官网网址� Seagull Mask by Sam Johnson, who worked in the traditional KwakwakaB次元官网网址檞akw style using only hand-made tools, according to the Pentlatch Gallery.

B次元官网网址淧eople will see in this gallery some very rare pieces that you probably wonB次元官网网址檛 find anywhere,B次元官网网址� said Fuller, who grew up in a house full of art and learned many skills such as silver work, ceramics and taxidermy.

B次元官网网址淚 learnt a lot of skills but as I got older I didnB次元官网网址檛 have the time,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 found the camera was the easiest thing for me.B次元官网网址�

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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.

B次元官网网址淲hen they come in there they start getting introduced to Cree and Ojibwe art and different styles of art,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd thatB次元官网网址檚 whatB次元官网网址檚 really exciting about it.B次元官网网址�

Fuller was excited to partner with world-renowned artist Roy Henry Vickers B次元官网网址� the gallery carries books and prints by Vickers and works with VickersB次元官网网址� framer.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted to keep that quality, this consistency,B次元官网网址� 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 heB次元官网网址檚 got a good feeling and has been encouraged by the number of people stopping to look around and purchase art so far.

B次元官网网址淭his way, I can enjoy art and then it goes off to a new home, and thatB次元官网网址檚 what I like,B次元官网网址� he said.

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

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very important to us to have an official opening with a blessing of the land and the building,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to organize that, but everythingB次元官网网址檚 moving along very fast.B次元官网网址�

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

B次元官网网址淲e have a really good feeling about being here,B次元官网网址� Fuller said.