Experience Shapeshifters at SJIMA: Indigenous Art Across Borders

In celebration of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples Month, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) proudly presents Shapeshifters, a major summer exhibition now on view through September 15, 2025.

Nichols Gallery - “Sun” by Tom Hunt (foreground)

This powerful collection brings together works by 32 Pacific Northwest Coast tribal artists, each representing the extraordinary resilience, creativity, and evolving traditions of their respective Indigenous cultures. The exhibition reflects the diverse cultures’ ability to “shapeshift,” to create new solutions for today’s dilemmas.

On Saturday, June 14, SJIMA welcomed Haida and Lummi chiefs, dignitaries, and artists for a special gathering at the museum to mark the opening weekend of Shapeshifters. Guests sang, drummed, and joined in viewing the works, which span a variety of mediums and cultural styles. The event served not only as an artistic celebration but also as a meaningful gesture of reconciliation and cultural unity.

This theme of transformation and healing extended into a moving public event at the Orcas Center on Monday, June 16, following a “Spirit of Peace Celebration” on Orcas Island. During this evening panel, eight leaders—including chiefs and elders from the Lummi, Haida, Nez Perce, and Maui communities—shared reflections on the historic peace ceremony that took place earlier that day. The discussion explored past conflicts, such as those remembered in place names like Massacre Bay and Victim Island, and how they are being addressed through renaming efforts that honor traditional Lummi heritage.

Orcas Center event with eight leaders—including chiefs and elders from the Lummi, Haida, Nez Perce, and Maui communities

SJIMA Assistant Director Wendy Smith, who attended the Orcas Center event, said:

“This was a powerful and important conversation about cultural healing, regional history, and how we move forward with peace, acknowledgment, and understanding for all.”

The long-planned Shapeshifters exhibition fostering “hands across the border” experienced unexpected customs difficulties and delays with several of the featured Canadian artists deciding not to cross the border. Many of the works arrived supplemented with loans from private collectors and SJIMA’s own Native art archive.

Four Cultural styles are featured, represented by the following artists and many more:

• Christian White: Northern Style, Haida Coast culture.

• Rande Cook: Mid-Coast, Kwakwaka’wakw style

• Tim Paul: West Coast, Nuu-chah-nulth

• Susan A. Point: Coast Salish South, Musqueam

As part of the museum’s mission to share these artists’ stories in depth, SJIMA is producing a special blog series featuring individual artist profiles and exclusive video interviews. At the members' reception on Thursday, June 12, SJIMA Docent Marney Reynolds conducted a filmed conversation with Haida master artist Christian White, who also teaches traditional arts to youth on Haida Gwaii and plays a central role in the repatriation of Haida artifacts from institutions worldwide.

Additional interviews are being filmed with featured artists Dan Friday, Gordon Dick, Rande Cook, and others. These interviews will be posted on the SJIMA Blog throughout the summer. Visitors are encouraged to check back regularly to learn more about these artists and their cultural contributions.

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SJIMA is now open for summer hours: Thursday through Monday, 11 AM – 5 PM.

Join us for this exceptional exhibition and delve into the remarkable art and culture of the Northwest Coast.

Exhibition Sponsors: Banner Bank, Barbara & Frank Fagan, Terry Lush & Linda Nelson, Alan & Lynn Weber/Roochvarg, Anonymous, Browne’s Home Center, Friday Harbor Suites, Harbor Rentals, Printonyx, & Terry Ogle Painting