Opening Celebration of Sila

On Friday, 21 June, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. join us to celebrate the opening of Billy Gauthier: Sila.

KWAG Members are invited to join us for a Members Preview on 20 June from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Please RSVP in advance to Cera Frederiksen at cfrederiksen@kwag.on.ca. 

Public Opening Reception begins at 7:00 p.m. on 21 June, with opening remarks at 7:30 p.m. Local DJ King Kadeem will also be performing throughout the night and Inuk visual artist Jennie Williams will be there alongside Billy Gauthier.

About the DJ

Over the past 10 years, DJ King Kadeem has honed his DJing skills by performing at a wide range of events, from weddings and private parties to nightclubs and corporate functions. His ability to read the crowd and select the right music to keep people dancing and entertained is one of his strengths. He is well-versed in various music genres, and prides himself on creating seamless transitions and maintaining a high-energy atmosphere throughout his sets. His ear for music, creativity, and excitement for DJing keeps parties moving and fun.

About the Visual Artist

Jennie Williams is an Inuk visual artist and performer from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. As a professional photographer, she creates powerful images that convey the cultural landscape and lived experience of Inuit. Her stirring photography has received national acclaim, was included in the travelling exhibition SakKijâjuk, and is curated as part of the Future Possible series at The Rooms Provincial Gallery and the Bonavista Biennale (2021). Jennie’s captivating photos have also been featured in established magazines such as Inuit Art Quarterly and Canadian Art. Her work has been recognized through honours such as the Elbow Room Residency and the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s REVEAL Indigenous Art Award (2017) and the Indigenous Advocate Award (2022) from First Voice, Urban Indigenous Coalition. Her longest-running project is a 12-year photographic series on the Labrador Inuit tradition entitled Nalujuk Night. She is an award winning film-maker, including awards such as, Best Atlantic Short Documentary FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, Canada (2021), Documentary Arts/Culture, Yorkton Film Festival, SK, Canada (2022), Best of Festival Yorkton Film Festival, SK, Canada (2022), Best Short Documentary, Canadian Screen Awards, Toronto, Canada (2022). As a performance artist she has travelled both Nationally and Internationally to perform Inuit drum-dancing and throat singing. She loves to teach workshops to all ages about Inuit culture and Inuit performing arts and film-making.  

Image: Billy Gauthier, Swimming Loons (My Tribute to Kenojuak Ashevak), 2010. Muskox horn, moose antler, serpentine, labradorite. 45.7 x 45.7 x 30.5 cm. Collection of Chris Bredt and Jamie Cameron. Photo courtesy of Spirit Wrestler Gallery.