Ray Keighley

Ray is a Cree/Métis artist who was born and raised in the foothills of Alberta and who has family roots on the Sucker River Reserve north of Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan.

Art has been an integral part of Keighley’s life since early childhood and in 1988 he graduated with a BFA from the University of Saskatchewan. He now lives and works in Warman, Saskatchewan.

Keighley’s work varies from realism to a more abstract, conceptual practice. He has extensive experience as a painter and printmaker. Besides smaller works, Ray enjoys working on murals. Native content often gives an added creative energy to Keighley’s art objects, reflecting the artist’s balance between his ethnic origins, his life and his work.

Much of my artwork, carvings, murals, and paintings have been opportunity to present and explore Truth and Reconciliation visually. These projects have been an opportunity to promote dialogue on past, present, and future vision on what reconciliation looks like.

Kevin Pee-ace

Artist Kevin L. Pee-ace was born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan and is a member of the Yellowquill First Nation and Peter Chapman First Nation. Kevin’s exposure to art happened at an early age. He recalled seeing the drawings and paintings created by his uncle, Jerry Whitehead, who would later become instrumental in helping to launch his career. Upon graduating from high school in 1991, Kevin went on to complete a Fine Arts Studio diploma program from University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. During the mid-nineties, he explored various programs in art history, archaeology, anthropology and Native Studies at Capilano College in North Vancouver.

Returning to Saskatchewan in 1995, Kevin enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan to continue his studies. He quickly realized that art was becoming more dominant and committed to it full-time. Art and education have been constants throughout his career, which led to a collaborative approach in creating class murals with many schools throughout Saskatchewan. He currently resides in Saskatoon, painting full-time. He is married and a proud father to three children. He has three grandchildren: one grandson, Daniel, and two granddaughters, Raven and Aaliyah.

His current style depicts traditional floral motifs reminiscent of beadwork, a homage to his late kokum, who created beautiful works on moss bags, moccasins, and saddles. This new style is a modern fusion of two worlds – traditional and contemporary. The importance of family is prominent throughout the works, the vibrant colours represent the joy of life. It is meant to inspire hope, success, and happiness. These paintings are a tribute to Kevin’s late mother who was my guide throughout his life, his late grandmother for her strength in cultural beliefs and traditions, and his children for the inspiration they give him, Meegwetch.