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The Art Gallery of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located in Treaty 6 Territory and Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta. We respect this as the traditional and contemporary  land of diverse Indigenous Peoples including the Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Beaver Cree, Nitsitapi/Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe/Saulteaux/Ojibwe and Dene Peoples. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people who make Alberta their home today.

Byron Samson (Mistikonâpêw): Place of Honour

Exhibition Publication (PDF)

 

 

 








In Treaty 6, present and past there are ones among us who’ve humbly served by taking on responsibilities to care for the wellbeing of others thus becoming leaders. These ones have made a difference in our lives. Some by impacting the past and others by influencing our present future. 

With skilled expertise, portrait artist Byron Samson (Mistikonâpêw) created a body of work featuring several leaders who we acknowledge by giving them a place of honour in our communities and in our hearts. 

Organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta and curated by MJ Belcourt Moses. The RBC New Works Gallery features new artworks by Alberta artists and continues the Art Gallery of Alberta’s tradition of supporting and promoting Alberta artists. 

Bios

Byron Samson was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta and raised in Samson First Nation, Maskwacis, Alberta.  Since grade school he has had an affinity for drawing.  During his senior year of high school, his teacher turned him to realism. He was both fascinated and frustrated by the complexity and beauty of mastering realism in portraiture.  Since then, he has strived to achieve the level of skill that he has attained and continues to create portraits for friends, family, and commissioned work.

He signs with his given name, Mistikonâpêw (miss-stick-ōh-nah-pay-yô) the Cree name given to him by his Mosom (grandfather).  As far back as he can remember his mosom always pushed a little harder than the rest of his family to support Byron in his art.  He would randomly buy him paints and sketchbooks, and even bought his first drafting table for Christmas.  To honour his mosom, he signs every piece of work with the name his mosom chose for him. Soon he plans to change his name to his Cree name Mistikonâpêw legally.

Hours

Monday: closed
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: 11am-5pm
Thursday: 11am-7pm
Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm

Admission

* Restrictions apply. Please see our Hours and Admissions page.

AGA members
$Free
Youth 0-17
$Free
Alberta students 18+
$Free
Out-of-province students
$10
General admission
$14
Seniors 65+
$10

Location

2 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 2C1

780.422.6223
info@youraga.ca

Directions

The Art Gallery of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located in Treaty 6 Territory and Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta. We respect this as the traditional and contemporary  land of diverse Indigenous Peoples including the Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Beaver Cree, Nitsitapi/Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe/Saulteaux/Ojibwe and Dene Peoples. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people who make Alberta their home today.