Becky Thiessen

My designs were selected for the City of Nanaimo’s 2021 Street Banner Design contest.

The theme of this year’s call was Nanaimo 2121: One Hundred Years Forward. This annual program offered artists and designers an opportunity to submit proposals for original banner artwork that is hung in Nanaimo’s downtown area. Banners are on display in the Arts District downtown, along Bowen Road, Third Street and other major routes, creating a vibrant visual presence from May to November.

“When I think 100 years forward, I can’t help but think 100 years back. Industry and increased settlement have made a significant impact on the natural environment in this region. People have lived in this area for thousands of years, in balance with the ecology. My banner imagery represents this idea. When I imagine Nanaimo in 100 years, I hope that the reverence for the cedar tree remains and I hope the estuary can still claim to be one of the greatest natural resources in the region.”

Follow the trail signs along Bunn’s Creek and reflect on the teachings of respect, love, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility and truth.  

Traditional and contemporary responses to the Seven Teachings were created by youth from John G. Stewart School and Knowles Centre. The creek provides them with a connection to the land that is critical to their spiritual well-being. Not only is it a place for study about the connections between plants and animals and the world around them, it is also an escape where they can be alone or connect with their peers, mentors, and teachers. 

Travelling east to west, you will see traditional carvings created by John G. Stewart School students that represent the Seven Sacred Teachings of the Annishinaabe. The staff and students share a commitment to the Journey of Reconciliation, rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and guided by the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord. The teachings are embodied by animals to underscore that all actions and decisions impact the land and all of its inhabitants. 

Travelling west to east, you will see contemporary digital collages by Becky Thiessen with artwork created by Knowles Centre youth. Working together through the Winnipeg Arts Council’s Youth WITH ART community public art program, they experimented with a range of materials and techniques to create individual art pieces which they transformed into collaborative collages in response to each of the teachings. The youth’s intelligence and thoughtfulness are apparent in the art-making process and you are invited to share in this as you follow the trail. 

Thank you Emily, Katelynn, Grace, Alyiah, Marissa, Gladys, Izzy, Kaydence, Taylor, Kaylee, Gavin, Maria, Cassie, Shaelyn, Anna, Mason, Sterling, Phoenix and Samuel for sharing your talents. Thank you Becky Thiessen, Pam Jansen, Rob Unik, Trevor Holroyd, Dan Kulas and Troy Fontaine (Biimautaziiwin Cultural Program) for your guidance. 

This project is a collaborative effort of Knowles Centre, artist Becky Thiessen, the Winnipeg Arts Council, John G Stewart school, and the City of Winnipeg Parks and Open Space Division with project support from Councillor Jeff Browaty. 

For more information please visit winnipegarts.ca

I was selected as one of three artists for Winnipeg's Art Gallery Canada 150 project.  Follow this link for more information regarding my cross Canada journey: canada150.wag.ca

Jillian Ramsay and I co-facilitated the ArtShare Project at Champlain School. We turned the classroom into an open studio; the students directed their art projects. In the end we exhibited The ArtShare Project in the community space at aceartinc.   This project was funded by ArtsSmarts II through the Manitoba Arts Council

I love designing stencils. So far I have done large scale wall installations at The Edge Gallery and The Tallest Poppy.

I also create gift wrap, t-shirts, tote bags and collaborative murals with schools and community groups.

I had the opportunity to work on a stencil mural project with the wonderful children at the Norquay Community Centre. I was hired through The Graffiti Gallery.

The Manitoba Arts Council’s Artists in the Schools Residencies Program (AIS program) brings together the unique vision and energy of professional artists with the creative potential of students and teachers.

The program helps support arts education programming in Manitoba schools through residencies integrated into the school’s instructional schedule.

Beau Geste was a collaboration between myself, Natalie Ferguson and Eusebio Lopez-Aguilar. Illuminated installations were created for Nuit Blanche 2015 and Raw-Almond 2015.

Gabrielle Funk and I took a trip to south western Manitoba to work on a collaborative stencil mural project with the high school art class from Killarney School.

For three months I worked at Andrew Mynarski VC School. I was hired though ArtsSmarts, an arts education program with the Manitoba Arts Council. Once a week we would work together thinking about our personal identities through community and collaboration.

In one week the students and I built three art poles, that are installed as a permanent installation celebrating the new Maker Space! Every student at Harrow School contributed to the project.

I work with a program called Engaging Fusion through Winnipeg School Division #1.  Essentially, I work with teachers to build art into curriculum

Partnering with Florence Okwudili, I listened to her stories of parenting. Together we created a series of 5 postcards that highlight her Nigerian cultural practices and values.

This project was made possible through The Winnipeg Foundation. Project partners were also The Immigrant Centre, The General Child and Family Services Authority, Healthy Child MB and The Graffiti Gallery.

I created a postcard series in 2007, upon moving to my new neighbourhood in innercity Winnipeg, North Point Douglas.

artbuildingcommunity

I work collaboratively and usually in community, however here is some work that I have done on my own.

I also like to build.