Artist in Residence

Brandon Gabriel Kwelexwelsten

We are honoured to host Kwantlen First Nation artist Brandon Gabriel Kwelexwelsten who will be working in the studio February through May. His residency will focus on developing and experimenting with visual art stories using contemporary materials, as well as connecting with local Indigenous artists and learners.

Brandon Gabriel Kwelexwelsten is a Kwantlen First Nation artist whose family also extends to the Shakan First Nation in N'lkapa'mux territory in Merritt and St'ail'es First Nation territory in Harrison Lake. Gabriel is a graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. 

He is an internationally recognized, award-winning multimedia visual artist who has exhibited in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the United States, and across Canada. He is a painter, mixed media sculptor, illustrator, graphic designer, and educator. Nearby public works in Surrey include When the Salmon Return at Fleetwood Library and The Raven and the First Sunrise at Guildford Library.

What we offer

Resident artists work on their own project or practice in the river-side studio with access to professional-quality equipment. They share their skills or knowledge with the community. Onsite artists have access to amenities including:

• The studio space

• The gathering space

• Gathering opportunities

• Power tools

• Internet access

• Our network

Eligibility

1. Are you an Indigenous artist or cultural practitioner?

2. Do you have a project or practice that would benefit from the space, tools or connections Totest Aleng can provide?

3. Will your project or practice take 2-4 months to complete? Resident artists are required to be in the studio for a minimum of one day per week.

4. Would you like to connect with the community? Resident artists are required to do one engagement activity per month. Past examples include public workshops, open studio days, youth gatherings and public events that bring vendors or knowledge keepers to the space. Engagement activities are paid and can either be focused to a specific audience or open to the general public. 

If you answered yes to these four questions, we would love to talk to you about being an artist in residence! Email totestaleng@surrey.ca to be contacted when the next artist call is released. 

Previous artists in residence

Joan Williams

Semiahmoo First Nation artist Joan Williams was the artist in residence in late 2024. During her residency, she will be focused on cedar weaving and public art pieces, as well as creating space and connection with the Kwosen Stl’an Ouk cultural youth group.

Joan studied at the Art Institute of Vancouver and has a number of public art works in Surrey and Langley, including the recently installed Sekuentol on the nearby King George Bridge.

Natache Gabriel 

A visual artist from Kwantlen First Nation, Natache was the artist in residence during the summer of 2024.  She was often seen painting in the pavilion, and she coordinated Matriarchs in the Park, a public drop-in event to connect visitors with other Kwantlen creatives and knowledge keepers.

Roxanne Charles and Chalise McCallum

The two Semiahmoo First Nation artists were the first artists in residence at Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House. In 2023, they worked together and with members of their community to adorn a yellow cedar bentwood chest for the “Honouring our Grandmothers Healing Journey” project. It was an opportunity for healing and to honour Semiahmoo community members tragically lost and to celebrate the strength, power, and resistance that is still there.