About
Claire Shannon-Akiwenzie (Anishinaabe/Irish) is a multidisciplinary artist, educator and hand drummer/singer residing on unceded Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh and Squamish territory in Vancouver, B.C. She is a proud member of the Chippewas of Nawash unceded First Nation in Neyaashiiningmiing, Ontario.
She works predominantly in digital art and beadwork and is continuously learning to extend her practice through language, story, song, dance, and creating with traditional materials and technology.
Art has been a catalyst for healing as it enables her to further connect with stories, language, family and community.
As a recipient of the Arts Development Fun, Claire met and worked with Arts New West’s Indigenous Curator James Groening. Through mentorship in 2024, she participated in Expressions of Reclamation, the Welcome to My Renaissance exhibition, the New West Cultural Crawl, and as a vendor at New West Craft.
Arts Development Fund
The New West Arts Development Fund aims to increase the inclusion and appreciation of promising artists and performers.
Small projects can have a big impact on the community. Emerging artists across all artistic and cultural disciplines living in New Westminster who have an interest in building an arts career and/or working with the community in an arts or culture-based capacity are invited to apply for an Art New West Development Fund Microgrant.
