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Wade Baker Sky Spirit Studio, 354 Chief Joseph Crescent, North Vancouver, 604.985.5590 However, people who are seriously interested in aboriginal art are welcome to phone for a A self-described "lone wolf," Baker does not usually invite people to watch him work. visit to his studio. His home gallery includes paintings, carved masks and glass etchings. A won the Canadian Mint's "Create a Centsation" plaque on the wall features the wooden design entitled "Family, the Ties that Bind," which contest in 2000. Millions have felt its contours on the side of the quarters jingling in their pockets. For the design Baker chose the double wolf, an animal that mates for life. He wanted to show the togetherness, pride, integrity and ties that bind Canadian families together. It is a pleasure to meet this soft-spoken self-taught artist w h o believes that his ancestors from the Coast Salish a n d Kwagiutl peoples are w o r k i n g through him w h e n he creates his designs. Wade has two lines of work. His commissioned pieces include totem poles, masks and logos. The challenge of weaving ideas or a client's feelings into a design is something he obviously enjoys. He also has about 50 copyrighted designs that can embellish anything from T-shirts to glass sculptures. Priced mid-range ($50-$150), these items are on limited distribution to select galleries that feature elements important to Wayne and his business partner and wife Mary: historical tradition, comfort and healing. Pam Baker Touch of Culture Legends studio, 210 Whonoak Rd., Capilano Reserve, 604.980.2443, www.toclegends.coni, 9 - 5 weekdays. Pam Baker is an internationally-known textile artist who has chosen to express herself and her traditions through contemporary fashion design. Her pieces, crafted from everything from silk velvet to organza, chiffon, fleece and denim, are popular in the US. They include dresses, evening wraps and a new line of sportswear featuring bold colors and design. Raised in the Squamish community, Pam left home to be trained in fashion merchandizing and textile-arts in the States. Returning to the North Shore, Pam felt drawn to work as a counselor and help the youth of the Native community with self-esteem issues. Then, improving her skills in textile arts at Capilano College she enrolled in a fashion design course at the Otis College of Art and Design in California and won a prestigious award for evening wear design. At her 2400 sq.' studio on the Capilano reserve, Baker teaches sewing, embroidery, beading and applique techniques, as well as fashion design. With working on her own line of First Nations couture, it's a busy life. "We're going crazy but we're going to go crazier," she predicts. Artie George and Richard de la Mare 10 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Sunday Coast Raven Design Studios, 2257 Dollarton Highway, 604.929.4673, Take a drive out along the coast towards Deep Cove. Against this scenic background, Artie and Richard craft and sell a full-line of First Nations art, including wooden masks, plaques, copper and brass jewelry, miniature masks and beadwork. Klatle-bhi (Chuck Sam) Open daily until 5 pm 177 Whonoak Rd., Capilano Reserve, 604.988.7028, 604.618.8000 Chuck Sam is a home-grown carver of intricate cedar masks. He trained at the side of his rary blend of Northwest Coast First Nations traditions. "I'm always learning," he says. Richard Baker uncles and other relatives before developing his own style which he describes as a contempo- True to Coast Salish and Kwagiutl traditional styles, Richie Baker specializes in cedar wood carvings of totem poles, wall plaques and boxes. He also crafts silver and gold jewelry. Klee Wyck Carvers 250 Whonoak, Capilano Reserve, 604.983.3301, 604.862.1905 Above: Students training at Pam Baker's studio Far Left and middle: Carvings by Xwa Lack Tun Below: Glassblower Sol Maya welcomes visitors 200 Keith Road, West Vancouver On Monday evenings, people show up with their tools and carving projects at this building in a beautiful wooded corner near west side of the Capilano River. Having met four years ago when they were students in a carving course, the members of this group have continued to come together to enjoy the camaraderie of doing a favorite activity together. Robert Varratt, a non-aboriginal master carver who learned under Norman Tait, attends as a resource person to the group. Hand-made tools are easy to come by from craftsman Dave Jack, who sets up his display of wares at one of the tables.