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Jamie Nole, First Nations Fine Arts student.
Jamie Nole is the first to admit she was pretty skeptical about post-secondary education and, specifically, Northwest Community College's (NWCC) Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art.
But a funny thing has happened during her first semester as a first-year student in the First Nations Fine Arts (FNFA) program.
"I thought it would be boring but I'm really enjoying it," said the soft-spoken Nole, a Tahltan/Nisga'a born in Terrace and raised in Iskut. First-year students begin with basic drawing and two dimensional design techniques and the history of designs and crests, and Nole says she already sees improvement in her work – especially her painting.
Nole has been keenly interested in art since she was an infant. Ever since she could pick up pencils, she was doodling and instead of toys, she would ask for art supplies and pencils. Her uncle Huey Carlick, a carver, sparked her interest in First Nations art, teaching her to draw shapes and form lines. However, when she moved back to Terrace some seven years ago, she says she felt disconnected and had no one to look up to.
In Nole's case, it was a few Freda Diesing School graduates who changed that and eventually landed her in the program at NWCC. Her stepdad, Sheldon Dennis, graduated with a FNFA Diploma in 2010. Around the same time, 2009 FNFA Diploma graduate Todd Stephens was her art teacher at Parkside Secondary in Terrace. Through them, she met several other current and former Freda Diesing School students.
"It's important to have peers and I think it's pretty important that they were telling me I need to be up (at NWCC's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art)," Nole said.
Now, Nole not only has peers but a wealth of knowledge in Freda Diesing School instructors, world renowed artists at their craft, plus visitors to the School, including premier gallery owners, museum curators and cultural advocates.
"It is nice to hear what Elders have to say," said Nole, who adds the School is currently hosting an instructor from the Vancouver-based Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Luke Parnell is teaching FDS students about art research. The students have to choose a photo from an image library and research the photo.
"It's really good to learn what ancestors did, then experiment with your own creative mind," said Nole, who is preparing for what will be her first-ever art show when the School puts on its annual Christmas show in December. First-year students typically display past artwork – crest design paintings – and other work. For Nole, she has been refining a series of hummingbird spray and acrylic paint designs (below right).
Nole has never sold a piece of art and admits that letting go of art – even for a price – is a necessary step if one commits to a career in art. Everything, she says, is pointing to just that in her future. She has the support of her family and peers and interest in her hummingbird pieces that has buoyed her aspirations. It doesn't hurt that she is now immersed in full-time learning with role models such as FDS artists/instructors Dempsey Bob, Stan Bevan, Ken McNeil and Dean Heron.
"Jamie has displayed both passion and eagerness to learn, along with natural talent for the art and that's an ideal combination of skills to have as an aspiring artist," says Heron. "We are excited to see her continued progress and creativity."
Nole, who practices a mix of traditional and contemporary First Nations art, says she plans to do both years of the First Nations Fine Arts program at NWCC and go on to third year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program at Emily Carr University.
Nole maintains her own blog, which details her experiences as a First Nations Fine Arts student and budding artist. Check it out here!
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