Site Logo

Noted Yakama artist, students transform gym wall into a cultural masterpiece | Slideshow

Published 3:51 pm Friday, February 6, 2015

Native American artist Toma Villa explains the movement of the bears in the canoe to Chief Kitsap Academy students
Native American artist Toma Villa explains the movement of the bears in the canoe to Chief Kitsap Academy students

SUQUAMISH — Artist Toma Villa of the Yakama Nation explains the movement of the bears in the canoe to Chief Kitsap Academy students on Feb. 6, as work continues on a 30-foot by 30-foot mural in the school’s gym.

Chief Kitsap Academy is funded and operated by the Suquamish Tribe.

Villa, a citizen of the Yakama Nation, and students worked together on the mural Feb. 4-6, with Villa’s work continuing through Feb. 8.

Suquamish Tribe Communications Coordinator April Leigh said the project is funded through the Suquamish Tribe’s Sports & Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Suquamish Tribe Education Department.

Villa works in different media, producing paintings, prints, public murals and works in iron. According to his website, his body of work is inspired by his passion for the Columbia River and the fish that are central to Native American physical and spiritual life.

The Oregonian produced an online photo gallery of Villa’s painting of a mural of Chief Joseph at a North Portland school named for the leader of the Wallowa band of Nez Perce.

 

You Might Like