A new display of artwork from the Yukon Permanent Art Collection has been installed in the Legislative Assembly Chamber for the 2025 Fall Sitting.
The following is a list of artwork in counterclockwise order from the south side of the Chamber, with background info about the artists
Timberpoint Steamboat Wood Camp – Ganti Yaak’w, Teslin Lake, Yukon by Mary Blahitka (2024) – Acrylic paint and glass beads on canvas
Timberpoint Steamboat Wood Camp is a mixed media work that depicts a wood camp at Timberpoint on Teslin Lake, which was owned and operated by the Sidney-Jackson family (the artist’s grandparents) from 1926-1929. Mary Blahitka is a Teslin Tlingit artist of the D’aklaweidi Clan with ancestral roots in Alaska and England. She was born at Brook’s Brook and raised in the Yukon wilderness. Her creations are inspired by the legacy of her mother, who created intricate beadwork, and her father, who was a well-known painter. In her artwork she combines materials including beads, leather, canvas and paint to create works that celebrate her environment and her cultural heritage.
Yukon’s Green Man by Joshua Lesage (2020) – Spanish cedar
Yukon’s Green Man is a Yukon-style rendition of the Green Man, a figure in ancient Celtic culture. Symbolic of rebirth, spring and regeneration, this Green Man’s face is composed of the Yukon's wild roses with leaves and rosebuds forming the facial features. Joshua Lesage grew up in south central Manitoba, later moving to the Yukon where he discovered wood carving at the Sundog Carving Studio. He was involved in large projects, including a 30-foot healing canoe, a tribal house in Wrangle Alaska and a 40-foot healing totem pole for residential school survivors. Lesage also works in knife making, painting, clay, snow and stone sculpting.
Let’s Go Dance! by Sarah Lennie (2022) – Summer caribou hide, tanned elk hide, embroidery thread, Melton cloth
Let’s Go Dance! are mukluks sewn from dried caribou hide with embroidered decoration. The design is from the Banks Island area of the Northwest Territories and uses skin from the leg of the caribou. This style of mukluk was made for seasonal feasting and dancing. They honour the tradition of gathering in the fall to sew clothing and footwear for celebrations in the winter and spring. Sarah Lennie is an Inuk artist from Ikahuk (Banks Island). She loves to sew patterns passed down from her mother and her grandmother. The flowers on these mukluks were her mother’s design, drawn freehand and embroidered using techniques learned from her.
Arrival of the Dog Team by Velma Olsen (2017) – Melton, canvas, wool yarn, felt, embroidery thread, satin and ric-rac ribbon, leather, seed beads
Arrival of the Dog Team is one of a set of 10 dog traditional dog blankets that were showcased at the 2017 Yukon Quest dogsled race. Velma Olsen is Northern Tutchone, Hän and Gwich'in and is from the Wolf Clan. Born and raised in Mayo, she learned to sew and bead by watching her mother and grandmother as a young child. She is passionate about designing traditional First Nation garments that incorporate her own contemporary twists.
Living Shapes by Lee Mennell (1984) – Graphite on paper
Living Shapes is a tranquil graphite work depicting a fictional landscape. The detail and subtlety in the rendering encourage the viewer to contemplate our connection to nature. Born and raised in Vancouver, Lee Mennell is now a long-time resident of Carcross. He is a self-taught artist who creates intricate paintings and drawings in both abstract and realist styles. His works represent his spiritual connection to the environment and showcase his high level of skill and elaborate, imaginative compositions.
Chief’s Raven Rattle by Eugene Alfred (2021) – Birch and acrylic
Chief’s Raven Rattle is an example of the type of rattle traditionally used by high-ranking chiefs during ceremonies and potlaches. Rattles are one of the most complicated types of Northwest Coast carving and require specific training. Eugene Alfred is a Northern Tutchone and Tlingit carver from the Crow Clan of Selkirk First Nation in Pelly Crossing. He works with many types of wood and creates masks, bowls, rattles and panels that reflect both sides of his heritage. He started carving this rattle in 1994 while he was studying at the Kitanmax School of Northwest Coast Art. In 2020 he decided to complete it as an educational piece for the public and young carvers.