First Nations artist Jerry Whitehead is a storyteller, but instead of the written or spoken word, he tells his stories through his canvas and paint brush.
Whitehead is ensuring the stories of today are alive tomorrow through his paintings and passing on his knowledge to students in Southpointe Academy’s artist in residence program.
Whitehead has been working with every grade level at the Tsawwassen private school since early October. He will be at the campus until mid-December.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Whitehead is of Plains Cree heritage.
He graduated with a bachelor of arts in Indian art from the University of Regina and then moved to Nova Scotia, obtaining a bachelor of fine arts from NSCAD University.
He eventually settled down and started a family in Vancouver.
He was introduced to the school experience in the Fraser Valley in 1997. His artist in residence at Southpointe is his first time working in South Delta.
Each day he works with the students teaching lessons in the afternoon and painting in the school foyer. All of the students’ work will be part of a larger mural that will eventually hang in the school’s Hodgins Library.
He said he has always enjoyed the interactions with students, which is why he never passes up an opportunity to get into a school.
“I never really planned it that way. I thought I would rely on my art on my own, but I met this one teacher in Langley and she got the ball rolling,” he said. “She invited me as a presenter of my work and it blossomed into workshops and then I was an artist in residence and then started doing murals. It just ballooned into other things.”
He feels giving back to students ensures that art and the creative spirit will live on in the future.
“The way I look at it, when I was going to school, no one ever came into schools to show what they do in the real world,” Whitehead said. “Nowadays you have people who come in and present their work, so it’s the right way to teach. If someone wants to be an artist they can see the work. If you can get one or two interested, you have succeeded in what you are doing.
“It’s always inspirational to me. I think the kids love it. Every day is new. Every day they see a different colour and they notice. They always ask questions. It’s quite a nice interaction.”
Grade 9 student Alexandra Green describes Whitehead’s art as beautiful and inspiring.
“It is colourful, meaningful and interesting. I always find myself wandering around to see what he has done,” she said. “His work is amazing and it tells a story – one that is intriguing and deep. He is doing a wonderful job and I am so excited to see what he does next.”
She said she is learning a lot through his teachings.
“I have had the pleasure of being taught by him in my art class where we recently made faces out of paper cut outs,” she said. “It seems simple but there is a completely larger picture to this.”
Senior school art teacher Sandy Kwok-Swan said this is the school’s second artist in residence.
“He is such a thoughtful, kind man. You feel it when you are with him, the kids feel it and he just brings out something that is nice in your being,” said Kwok-Swan. “When I was looking at his work I realized that I bought one of his greeting cards 20 years ago from a little shop in Steveston, so it’s weird how life works sometimes. When I was referred to him, we met for lunch and talked and we just had an instant connection.”
She said the whole school is proud of the work and can’t wait to see the final mural unveiled in December.
“We have done this program before and it was successful, but I feel we have brought things to another level with Jerry,” she said. “He’s been amazing with the kids. Having a real artist come in and interact with the students and have them see him every day and see how much joy he gets out of it as well as seeing someone like this in the fine arts is essential to the kids because they are so academically driven – we have to bring back the passion for the arts. Imagination and creativity is getting lost, but artists like Jerry can show that to these students, which is so important.”
submitted photos
Southpointe senior school art teacher Sandy Kwok-Swan (left) with junior school student Alexandra Green (right). Junior and senior students have been working with Jerry Whitehead on a large mural that will be installed in The Hodgins Library.
Jerry Whitehead is the artist in residence at Southpointe Academy until December. His work primarily showcases ceremonial powwow scenes and incorporates vivid colours to produce vibrant paintings.
