Aboriginal Arts Certificate Program

Program Overview

This certificate program focuses on traditional Indigenous arts and crafts, including beadwork, carving, decorative arts, and footwear. Students will develop artistic and technical skills through hands-on learning and traditional indigenous teaching methods. The program prepares students for further study or careers in Indigenous communities and beyond.

Program Outline

Outline:

• ART EXPOSE
• Students will produce the Art Expose, a 2-day exhibition of their work.
• Students will participate in field trips to visit galleries, speak to practicing artists, and visit other venues.
• BEADWORK I
• Focuses on the practice of beadwork in North America.
• Students will complete projects using loom, lazy stitch, and appliqué styles.
• CARVING I
• Divided into wood and stone sections.
• Students will become familiar with the materials, tools, and processes used in carving.
• COMMUNICATIONS & COMPUTER BASICS
• Introduces communication theory and basic computer skills.
• Covers English grammar, writing skills, keyboarding, Microsoft Word, and Internet resources.
• DECORATIVE ARTS I
• Instructs students in traditional arts such as moose hair tufting, caribou hair tufting, porcupine quillwork, horse-hair wrapping, and fish scale art.
• Students will collect, clean, and dye natural materials.
• PROJECT PRACTICUM
• Designed to enhance artistic and technical skills through hands-on learning.
• Students will create a commission art piece and explore working with businesses, organizations, and municipalities.
• FOOTWEAR I
• Focuses on designing, decorating, and constructing Native footwear.
• Students will make moccasins and mukluks in the Woodlands style.
• HIDE TANNING I
• Provides instruction in the collection, preparation, and conservation of natural materials.
• Students will construct projects using bark, branches, and roots.
• SEWING I
• Teaches measuring, pattern preparation, and basic sewing techniques.
• Includes hand sewing, embroidery, and the operation of sewing machines and sergers.
• VISUAL ARTS I - DRAWING
• Explores wet and dry drawing materials and develops basic drawing skills.
• Covers line, shape, volume, value, texture, perspective, and composition.
• VISUAL ARTS II - PAINTING
• Introduces a variety of painting techniques, concepts, and processes.
• Focuses on using acrylic paint to develop an understanding of color and composition.
• VISUAL ARTS III - PRINTMAKING AND MIXED MEDIA
• Explores printmaking processes, emphasizing basic materials and the potential of the art form.
• Introduces mixed media compositions primarily in 2D formats.
• VISUAL ARTS IV - SCULPTURE
• Explores clay and welded metal sculpture.

Teaching:

• Program is taught using a traditional indigenous teaching style that relies heavily on oral and visual instruction in a hands-on learning environment.
• Studio work and hands-on instruction from experienced faculty, combined with traditional knowledge, will help students determine their artistic direction and future career.

Careers:

• This certificate will prepare students for further study in Portage College diploma programs.
• Provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in Indigenous communities, with Indigenous populations, and a variety of other situations.