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Healing through Art: By: John Lagimodiere Reprinted
with permission from
Johnny Marceland is from the remote Saskatchewan community of Birch Narrows First Nation. This Dene artist encourages local youth to use art for personal development and a way to work through issues. His goal is to use art as a healing tool. Johnny first took up art in 1982 when he was drying out at a detox center in Winnipeg. Alcohol had caused turmoil in his life and created marital difficulties. Now sober, he says art was an outlet to express his emotions and overcome his personal problems. These are skills he hopes to pass on to future generations. Marceland
works mainly with acrylics on canvas and most of his art
depicts nature. He also like to do wood carving,
sculpting and singing with with a hand drum. He also like
to write poetry about healing. His long term goal is to
set up an art school for northern First Nation youth.
Marceland is a little frustrated by the lack of support
from his own community that doesn't really appreciate
art. he believes that community leaders should do more to
promote their people and their work. To help the art
world, Marceland sits on the Circle Vision Arts
Corporation board. Circle Vision is dedicated to
advocacy, promotion and development of Aboriginal art,
artists and an art A strong advocate and mentor, Johnny Marceland has inspired and supported many that have followed in his path. Leaders like this, will help merge mainstream opportunities with many capable but underexposed artists.
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practice in Saskatchewan.