VICTORIA – In recognition of the Coast Salish as the traditional stewards and original mariners of the Salish Sea, BC Ferries has named its three new ferries the Salish Orca, Salish Eagle and Salish Raven. BC Ferries plans to represent the names with Coast Salish artwork on the exterior and interior of the vessels, and has partnered with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council to facilitate the commission of three original designs from up to three B.C. Coast Salish artists, associated with one of 20 Coast Salish Nations.
A Call to Coast Salish Artists is now open to invite expressions of interest and portfolios. The First Peoples’ Cultural Council will facilitate the process with an adjudication committee of artists and BC Ferries representatives. From the first round of submissions, the committee will select several artists to be shortlisted and commissioned to propose specific design concepts.
From these proposals, three artists’ designs will be selected for final refinement, adhering to BC Ferries specifications for fabrication and application. The primary design will be applied to the exterior of the vessel and elements of the design will also be used inside the vessel.
“We are pleased to be working with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council because of their expertise in commissioning art work and their network of talented Coast Salish artists,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “We look forward to seeing the submissions and selecting beautiful designs that will adorn our new vessels and represent the culture of the B.C. coast for years to come.”
“We are thrilled that BC Ferries has initiated this project, which will showcase the extraordinary talent of Coast Salish artists for a large international audience travelling on our coastal waters,” said Marlene Erickson, Chair of FPCC’s Board of Directors. “In addition to creating beauty, these art works will vividly communicate important cultural ideas, thereby building cross-cultural awareness and understanding.”
The deadline for expressions of interest is September 24, 2015. Shortlisted artists will be contacted and invited to submit conceptual designs by October 30, 2015, and the final selection of artists will take place in November 2015. For full details of the call for artists, including submission guidelines, please visit the First Peoples’ Cultural Council website at www.fpcc.ca.
The Salish Orca will be the first vessel to arrive, and will sail on the Comox – Powell River route. The Salish Eagle will arrive next, followed by the Salish Raven, and both of these ships will sail in the Southern Gulf Islands. Under contract to the Province of British Columbia, BC Ferries is the service provider responsible for the delivery of safe, efficient and dependable ferry service along coastal British Columbia.
