Profile
Display Name | Sherry Leigh Williams |
Studio Name | 5 Star Sanctuary |
Description of your art form | Artist, Writer, Vocalist |
Description | Alberta born of Métis and Celtic roots Williams says this history, as well as a love of nature, color and the delight in the muse, influences her work. Sherry is a multi-faceted artist, and works in many mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry making as well as a performing artist with her band Southbound and Friends.
A deep love of the land, wildlife and horses informed her early works. As a self-taught artist during those years her work was awarded in the Images and Objects juried shows in Fort St John, BC and toured the province. A mural she did still hangs on the recreation center in Chetwynd, BC.
Williams has made her home on unceded Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples territory since 1998 in beautiful Sidney by the Sea. Graduating in 2004 with a VCA Diploma in Fine Art, and most recently graduating with Distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Fine Art.
Recently Williams created six healing drum paintings for the Canadian Cancer Society. As a relative newcomer to the west coast, she employed a drum maker to make the drums in their traditional style, and then laid her work ontop. For me she said “ this was a way of joining two worlds, two cultures in the spirit of healing for us all.” Following the traditional beadwork style of the Métis she approached the style in a contemporary way with paint, instead of beads. In the spirit of reconciliation this was some of her most important work.
Williams has actively involved been involved in numerous art related events and her work has been featured in several media reports. Her photography “The Magna Carta Tree” has been featured in The Times Colonist as part of a campaign by The Lands Conservancy to protect the forest surrounding Royal Roads University.
Commissioned by The Bay Center in its downtown location in 2004 to paint a historical motif on her Orca as part of “The Orcas In The City project.” “Deschamps Quest” was a wonderful opportunity to share my own family history as a Métis person, and as a descendant of the rugged Métis Voyageurs.
Williams was community artist for Luminara Victoria where she created larger than life sized sculptures for the community lantern events.
Williams wrote and illustrated two children’s books “A First Step” and “Parent Guide” a project that was designed to combat racism and initiative of Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society, Williams took the books and spoke to children kindergarten to grade 6 in the public schools in the greater Victoria School District 61.Williams was also instrumental in the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement for the Victoria School District on behalf of the Metis Nation.
Exhibitions 2019 Sidney Fine Art Show Press Release 2018 https://youtu.be/eRvUE86uaNw
sherry-williams.artistwebsites.com |
Contact Information
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Studio Tour Information
Address | 9559 Lapwing Place Sidney, BC |
Comments | Call to make an appointment. |