Summer Open House 2025

By: Bill Reid Gallery

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

12:00 - 4:00 pm

Experience an inspiring afternoon of culture, creativity, and connection in the heart of downtown Vancouver. This free community event invites visitors of all ages to celebrate the richness of Indigenous Northwest Coast art and storytelling.

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Aleen Sparrow cannot attend. In her place, Debra Sparrow will conduct a carving artist demonstration.

🎟️ Free Admission for Everyone

Explore our landmark exhibition Kihl ‘Yahda Christian White: Master Haida Artist, a stunning retrospective showcasing the extraordinary carvings, masks, jewelry, and regalia of acclaimed Haida artist Christian White.
Enjoy live performances and demonstrations by Aleen Sparrow (Musqueam), who will share traditional weaving techniques and teachings, and Kwiis Hamilton (Hupačasath/Leq’a:mel). Special guest Haida singers will also be joining us to share traditional songs.
Come with your family and get creative together with hands-on art-making activities, explore our curated children's library, and spend time in the Hummingbird Gathering Space, a welcoming place to learn, create, and connect.

Aleen Sparrow

Aleen Sparrow’s practice is part of a powerful cultural revival; she honours and extends the legacy begun by her mother. Whether through weaving, public exhibitions, or representation in fashion and media, she champions Indigenous identity and intergenerational continuity. Her contributions not only revive ancient techniques but also reforge them in contemporary spaces, ensuring Salish culture thrives and evolves.

Photo by Toonasa Luggi

Kwiis Hamilton

Kwiis is a visual artist from the Hupačasath and Leq’a:mel tribes, born in 1993 in the village of Ahahswinis, near Port Alberni, BC. He is based in the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səlilwətaɬ, and Stó:lō peoples.

His paternal lineage includes the Hee-koolth-aht, Kyuquaht, and Hupačasath tribes, while his maternal family is Stó:lō, connected to Leq’á:mel, Sts’ailes, and Lummi. Kwiis has also been adopted into the Cranmer/Newman families of the ‘Na̱mg̱is. These ties inform his artistic practice, emphasizing kinship and cultural continuity.

Kwiis expresses his connections through song, dance, and the creation of various artworks, including regalia and paintings. Raised by his mother, Kwitsel Tatel, he aims to tell both traditional and contemporary stories, promoting healthy, educated, and joy-filled communities.