Page 6 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - August 2024

6

ART

Muralist transforms

Stephan Smith is using designs
fence meaningful to Chehalis Tribe

By Frazier Myer Long line of artists
Muralist Stephan Smith is Stephan grew up in Seattle and
painting a new fence on the in an urban environment, but said
Chehalis Reservation along he attended events and powwows
the sidewalks on the roads of and always made it a point to stay
Anderson and Howanut. in touch with his cultural Native Stephan Smith works on a fence mural that will bring color, life and
Stephan is an enrolled member American traditions and beliefs. traditional elements for all to enjoy on the Chehalis Reservation.
of the Quinault Tribe and is He is 40 years old now and
a descendant of Makah and started taking painting seriously traditional cultural ways of the and other tribal elders he has
Chehalis. He grew up in Seattle nearly 20 years ago. native people that she learned spoken to who are familiar with
and moved to Oakland, where As he’s grown older and learned from her grandmother (Bessie). the history of the Chehalis tribal
he has professional artwork more about his tribal people, people and the land.
throughout the Bay Area. Some of Stephan discovered he comes from Finding inspiration He stated that a main source
his murals are solo artwork and a long lineage of Native American Stephan said part of his of inspiration came from
artists in the Pacific Northwest.
others are done in collaboration His mother, Mae Jack, taught inspiration for the fence’s mural understanding the reservation was
with his group of artists called him many of the old customs and design comes from his mother built on a prairie. This knowledge
Community Rejuvenation Project, spurred him to focus on creating a
based out of Oakland. more natural look for the mural.
Though many of his skills Stephan plans to integrate
are self-taught, Stephan said it the Chehalis tribal basket design
was a bonus to be with friends with various other silhouettes
who attended art school and are of objects, art and animals that
talented artists. represent the Chehalis tribal
Since 2018, Stephan started people and the land where they
to branch off from the group and are located.
started his own projects with more
of a Native American design focus. Contributions welcome
Stephan is also an experienced Stephan is working on the
woodcarver. He has been carving project through August. He invites
for nearly three years and recently the community and artists of all
won the Honoring the Ancestors skill levels to contribute to the
award for his carved red cedar project.
Wolf Headdress. The piece is on He will be available to help
display at the Washington State young artists who would like to
History Museum until Sept. 9. A solid fence erected along the sidewalks provides a blank canvas. learn or enhance their skills.