Meghan Weeks is the creative force behind MDW Jewelry, where she serves as artist, maker, designer, and small business owner. With a background in woodworking and informal training in silversmithing, Meghan’s work blends tactility, humour, Cree teachings, and childhood memories. Her pieces, crafted through fabrication, beadwork, carving, and lost wax casting, are made from sterling silver and beads, aimed at decolonizing the jewelry world and fostering dialogue between the wearer and the art.
Meghan is a member of Sucker Creek First Nation in Treaty 8 territory, and a long-time Vancouver resident who actively contributes to BC’s cultural economy. Since 2018, she has showcased her work at Indigenous festivals, gallery spaces, and for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients. Meghan holds a BFA in Media Arts from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and values her roles as a mentor and collaborator. Her jewelry, inspired by nature and cultural heritage, is as thought-provoking as it is beautiful.
Robin DuPont is a frontrunner in contemporary ceramics in North America, recognized for his innovative atmospherically fired ceramics that push the boundaries of form and surface. With over 20 years of experience, Robin’s pursuit of creative and technical development has earned him a reputation for excellence in the field. His extensive research into new ceramic surfaces, clay bodies, and kiln design sets him apart in Canadian studio ceramics.
As an educator and mentor, Robin has taught at numerous institutions across Canada and the United States, and currently leads the ceramics program at Kootenay Studio Arts at Selkirk College. His teaching has reinvigorated the program, inspiring the next generation of potters to produce work of exceptional quality. Robin also conducts workshops from his property in the Slocan Valley, sharing his expertise in atmospheric firing.
In 2023, Robin was named Nelson’s cultural ambassador and served as the pottery expert on CBC TV’s “Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown”.
Brent Comber is a renowned Canadian furniture maker and artist based in North Vancouver, British Columbia. His practice explores generation, connection, permanence, and impermanence. Embedded with memory, the materials he works with—wood, predominantly distinct tree forms, and light—are elemental to the story being told, with their story and my own inextricably linked to the Pacific Northwest. This place, as a physical environment and a sensorial experience, has shaped who he is and how he sees himself as an artist. Sculptural and often large-scale or inherently purposeful, his work invites the viewer to reimagine their relationship with the natural world.
In 2014, Brent’s creativity and craftsmanship were honoured with the Applied Art + Design Award, a recognition of his exceptional contributions to furniture design. A decade later, his creative and innovative approach together with a strong commitment to sustainability distinguish him as a true leader in his field, earning him the Award of Distinction designation.
Brent’s work can be found in galleries, public spaces, and private collections around the world, a testament to his respected place in both the local and international design scene.
Pam Baker (Himikalas/Sewid-duuk) is a proud Squamish/Kwakiutl member and a renowned artist and fashion designer with over 45 years of experience. As the owner of Touch of Culture for 31 years, she specializes in West Coast fashion, blending ready-to-wear and haute couture designs with her rich Coast Salish, Kwakiutl, and Tlingit heritage. Pam has mentored over 120 artists and trained models internationally, excelling in fashion show production, marketing, and Indigenous art projects.
Her achievements include awards like Industry Originator Award 2023, N.A.M.S.B., and the Arthur Gilbert Award, and in 2022, Hudson’s Bay featured her collections. Pam is part of the wisdom circle of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, as well showcasing her designs since its beginning. Himikalas has showcased her designs globally in cities like Paris, Santa Fe, the US and Canada. As a trailblazer and traditional knowledge keeper, Pam continues to elevate Indigenous fashion, creating opportunities for others to flourish in the industry.
Riley McFerrin, the visionary founder of Hinterland Design, has an extraordinary ability to transform natural materials into enduring, functional pieces of art and his talents have reshaped the industry. His deep understanding of the interplay between design, materials, and end users shines through in every creation.
For over a decade, Riley has consistently demonstrated his commitment to crafting furniture and lighting that showcases the beauty of natural materials, resulting in aesthetically pleasing, durable works that evolve gracefully over time. Each piece emerging from Hinterland Design reflects a blend of creative vision and honed craftsmanship, a rare fusion in today’s design landscape.
Riley’s meticulous attention to detail and profound understanding of user experience ensure that his pieces not only withstand the test of time but also enhance the lives of those who engage with them. Beyond mastering woodworking, he serves as an inspiration for fellow craftsmen and artisans, seamlessly blending artistry, sustainability, and functionality in products that stand apart in the industry.
Renowned sculptor Marie Khouri’s work is a profound exploration of identity, belonging, and connection, blending traditional sculpting techniques with contemporary materials and innovative construction methods.
Born in Egypt and raised in Lebanon, Marie’s artistic journey mirrors her personal odyssey, reflecting themes of movement, community, and unity. Her unique immigrant perspective, cultivated during years spent across Europe before settling in Canada, resonates with diverse audiences, fostering a sense of togetherness through her sculptural creations.
With a background as a language interpreter and formal sculpture education at the prestigious L’Ecole du Louvre in Paris, Marie continually draws from the power of language to forge new connections through her art. Her work straddles the boundary between art and design, embracing the principles of form and function akin to the modernist ethos epitomized by the Bauhaus School.
Over the past two decades, Marie’s artwork has graced exhibitions across Europe and North America, and she has left an indelible mark with over 25 public sculptures in Canada and abroad, alongside numerous large-scale pieces held in private collections worldwide. Marie’s collaborative spirit shines as she collaborates closely with developers, architects, and community stakeholders to craft sculptures that authentically reflect and enhance the communities they inhabit.
Bridget Catchpole, a celebrated multidisciplinary artist renowned for her exceptional contemporary art jewellery, has garnered widespread recognition for her innovative work in the realm of wearable art. With a distinct artistic vision, Bridget stands out as a pioneer in the use of single-use plastics and marine debris, addressing critical issues such as material exploitation, consumerism, and climate change through her artistry.
Bridget’s art is truly transformative, demonstrating her unique ability to elevate everyday objects into captivating one-of-a-kind adornments. She consistently seeks inspiration through collaborations with esteemed international contemporary artists, pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Her recent achievements include various Canada Council for the Arts grants to support her recent body of work, Stages of Healing, a solo exhibition in Montréal, and an international artist residency in Athens, Greece, underscoring her contributions to British Columbia’s cultural economy. Bridget’s work implicitly speaks to the human condition, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and urgently calling for a re-evaluation of our relationship with discarded materials. Her creative vision not only celebrates her artistic passion but also serves as a powerful reminder of the pressing issues facing our world today.
Kate Metten‘s pottery is a testament to intuition and muscle memory found within each unique piece. An exceptional commitment and dedication to her craft have made her an emerging artistic force in the world of ceramics.
Her journey as a potter is characterized by her one-of-a-kind ceramics that resonate with spirit and soul. Her vessels, masterfully thrown and intricately glazed, are prized by a growing clientele for their exquisite craftsmanship. What sets Kate apart is her ability to infuse the ordinary with the extraordinary, transforming everyday objects into iconic art pieces.
Beyond her artistic prowess, Kate’s contributions to the cultural economy are noteworthy. She runs an atelier bridging the gap between artist and audience. Kate’s impact on the cultural economy extends beyond her own creations. She conducts workshops, mentors students, and curates exhibitions, providing emerging potters and craftspeople with exposure and opportunities. Her success becomes a legacy by which she passes on her knowledge and passion, inspired by the mentors who guided her own journey.
Kate is the third recipient of the Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist designation, named in honour of the late BC-based furniture designer.
