Highlights of 2023... so far!

• January - beginning stages of a new totem pole project for Moutcha Bay

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Highlights of 2022

• Covid-19 has disrupted much of the tourism industry. When visiting my shop, I ask that you wear a mask, gloves, and maintain 6ft-apart social distancing. Respectfully, please do not touch items in the shop. We are all fully vaccinated, but members of our household are compromised and we need to keep them safe. Klecco-klecco!

 

Highlights of 2021

• January - In the process of taking back his ancestral identity. Formerly known as Sanford Williams, he is now going through the changes to take back the name he should have had at birth: Ahtsik-sta Qwayachiik. The given name means Artistic Wolf. Ahtsik-sta means the talent he has as a carver, and Qwayachiik means wolf, coming from the Wolf Clan at Yuquot.

• New carving shop and studio built between June-August 2021.

• Parks Canada totems completed, and now displayed at Yuquot as of August 2021

 

Highlights of 2020

• January - Art featured on the cover of the BC Studies Journal, published by UBC, and other supporting institutions working on social sciences reports and studies

• February - Donated a piece to support my niece Anna during her stay in Vancouver while her son Andre received cancer treatment. Update: Andre is cancer-free!

• March - Covid-19 affects all travel. All orders may be placed online.

• March - Beginning project of bentwood box camera for future documentary.

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Highlights of 2019​

• June to August - Returned to Yuquot to carve for tourists

• August 10 - Completed a totem pole for the Canadian Coast Guard's new site in Tahsis, BC. Estimate for reveal is in 2020.

• Signed on to carve for a documentary on Yuquot, produced by the Pacific Rim Arts Society. More details in 2020/2021

• September - Featured on the cover, and inside the German-language tour guide book of Canada titled "Kanada Zu Lieben" by Annegret Heinhold.

• October 31 - donated a carving to support the Hope Community Services Meals on Wheels program.

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Highlights of 2018

• April 12 Quest Out West "Island Relatives" on APTN televised - featuring my carvings and my story

• July/August Returned to Yuquot to carve for the tourists

• July 11 Participated in Camosun's Adventure Education History Tour at Yuquot - demonstrating the history of westcoast traditional carving

• July 21  Interviewed by journalist Paul Burnside for upcoming documentary (details not yet released)

• August 30 Featured Artist in Compass Magazine, Aug/Sep Issue 17

• September 5 Donated "Spirit of the Beaver' carving to Hope Outdoors, in support of their post-fire reconstruction

• September 9 Image of "Transformation of the Chief" featured on Global Weekend News' Our Community for Tofino

• September 26 Donated bentwood box "Optimism" to Lattimer Gallery's 2018 Charity Box Event

 

Highlights of 2017

• January 31 Carving donation auctioned at the Canucks for Kids Fund "Dice & Ice" Auction 2017

• March 27 Carving donation to Thunderbird Motel unveiled, Hope & Area Transition Society

• May 3 Filming "Wild Food West" episode for APTN (air date early 2018)

• July/August Returned to Yuquot to carve for the tourists

• August 31 Donated a Yuquot Paddle to be raffled from Save On Foods in Hope BC to the BC Children's Hospital

• September 6 #WillSanfordCarveForTheRock broadcast on Twitter & Instagram (awaiting a response)

 

Highlights of 2016

• Set up my new shop near the Coquihalla River

• Donated a Ryan Miller-inspired goalie mask to the Canucks for Kids Fund "Dice & Ice" Auction 2016.

• Invited by Tuckkwiohum Village to give a carving demonstration during Aboriginal Day

• 14 Carvings featured in the new book: Eagle in the Owl's Nest

• Donated a Killer Whale Mask to be raffled from Save On Foods in Hope BC to the BC Children's Hospital

• Gave a presentation on The History of West Coast Wood Carving at the Fraser Valley Regional Library in Hope, BC

• Selected as one of the artists to participate in Vancouver's Wrap Project 2016.

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Highlights of 2015

• Donated my vintage goalie mask to the Canucks for Kids Fund "Dice & Ice" Auction 2015

• Donated the New Beginnings Mask to Raven's Feast at Bill Reid Gallery for the Raven's Feast Auction.

• Got married ♥ to the love of my life, Marlana in Haida Gwaii.

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Highlights of 2014​

• Selected to participate in RezErect art show at the Bill Reid Gallery

• Donated a piece to the Bill Reid Gallery's Raven's Feast

• New website launches

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Highlights of 2013

• Message in a Bottle Carving Coupon was found near Brooks Peninsula, Vancouver Island by Howard Barlow.

• "Healing Mask" gifted to Howard Barlow presented at Punch Invitational Nov 7-16, 2013 at Punch Gallery in Ellensburg WA, near Seattle.

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Highlights of 2012

​(no archives)

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Highlights of 2011

• Strathcona Park Lodge in Strathcona Park (near Campbell River, BC) purchases and displays my "Transformation" Mural in their lobby

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Highlights of 2010

• Moutcha Bay Resort near Tahsis, BC purchases and displays my Eagle Doors, to display at their grand entrance of the resort.

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Highlights of 2008 - 2009

(no archives)

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Highlights of 2007

• 24-foot totem pole created and raised at private home in Chesterman Beach. Story in Ha-Shiltha, August 2, 2007

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Highlights of 1998 - 2006

(no archives)

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Highlights of 1997

• September - Carving Instructor at Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art

• November - Selected to represent Canada at Taiwan's Sanyi International Wood Carving Festival.

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Highlights of 1994 - 1996

(no archives)

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Highlights between 1990 - 1993

• Contributed to Totem Pole, gifted to Wilp-Si Satxw Healing Centre, Kitwanga BC.

• Donation to Gitxsan Wet’suwet’en Tribal Council for the Land Claim, Kitwanga BC

• Contributed to totem pole creation, raised in Whistler BC

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Highlights of 1989 - 1989

(no archives)

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Highlights between 1986 - 1988

• Enrolled, trained and graduated from Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art at ‘Ksan in Old Hazelton, BC.

• Created amateur pieces, many of which were purchased by The Gold River Municipal Office. (Items are still displayed inside the office and boardroom.)

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Highlights of 1986 - 1987

• Raised money from my artwork to attend GSNCIA in Old Hazelton. An older woman from Courtenay BC sends me an anonymous donation of $10,000 to fund my expenses. (Money was sent to the Yuquot Band office, then transferred to me.)

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Highlights of 1985

• Graduated Highschool, Diploma received from Mount Douglas Secondary in Victoria BC.

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Highlights of 1981 - 1984

• Carving and painting amateur pieces, selling at Yuquot BC.

• 1981 learned to carve from my relative, the late Chief Dominic Andrew who was our houseguest at Yuquot. In the years prior to this, I was learning to draw our traditional styles.

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