Shapeshifters: Northwest Coast Indigenous Art Featured in SJIMA’s Summer Exhibition

June 13 – September 15, 2025

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) proudly presents Shapeshifters, a landmark summer exhibition showcasing the extraordinary diversity and resilience of contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous art.

Opening Friday, June 13 and continuing through Monday, September 15, this powerful exhibition highlights both the legacy and the evolving voices of Indigenous artists whose work challenges, transforms, and inspires.

The title Shapeshifters draws from the deep cultural symbolism of the Raven—a revered figure in Northwest Coast Indigenous stories known for cleverness, transformation, and creation. As guest curator Lee Brooks explains,

“Raven created mankind on the Northwest Coast. His peoples’ art transcends the human experience. Raven always outwits the moment. He transforms to meet life’s challenges and shapeshifts to create new solutions for today’s dilemmas.”

On view throughout the galleries, this exhibition brings together a remarkable selection of works from SJIMA’s permanent First Nation Legendary & Emerging Artists Collection, alongside pieces by some of the Northwest’s most acclaimed Indigenous artists—including Christian White, Rande Cook, Susan Point, Tim Paul, Dan Friday, Gordon Dick, and others. The exhibition showcases an array of mediums such as glass, cedar carvings, bronze, basketry, serigraphs, and multimedia works, all representing four major cultural styles of the Pacific Northwest:

• Susan Point (Musqueam): Representing Coast Salish/South Coast traditions

• Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw): Reflecting Mid-Coast cultural influences

• Christian White (Haida): Embodying Northern-style Haida artistry

• Tim Paul (Nuu-Chah-Nulth): Presenting West Coast perspectives and stories

“We are all shapeshifters” Brooks states, “all the featured artists have transformed to meet challenges unique to their cultures. Susan Point survived residential school to become a prominent Coast Salish artist. Rande Cook, hereditary chief of the Ma’amtigila, has chosen this moment to reestablish his people among the ghosts of their ancestors on B.C.’s Village Island. Tim Paul keeps Nuu-Chah-Nulth culture alive after many of his people were washed out to sea by floods and had to rebuild their village three times over the centuries. Christian White raised the tallest totem pole in Haida Gwaii after a 100-year hiatus."

Each of these artists brings a distinct voice and vision. While full artist profiles will be explored throughout the summer in individual blog features, this exhibition invites visitors to experience the collective strength, adaptability, and storytelling at the heart of Indigenous art. Join us for this exceptional exhibition and delve into the remarkable art and culture of the Northwest Coast.

Artist Talks - Mark Your Calendars 🗓️

As part of the Shapeshifters exhibition, SJIMA will host a series of artist talks this summer to deepen engagement with the works and artists. The first confirmed talk will feature Christian White on Sunday, July 6 at 1 PM at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. Additional artist talks and more details will be announced soon—stay tuned to SJIMA.org for updates.

SJIMA thanks our generous sponsors for making this exhibition possible:

Sponsors: Banner Bank, Barbara & Frank Fagan, Terry Lush & Linda Nelson, Alan & Lynn Roochvarg

In-kind sponsors: Browne’s Home Center, Harbor Rentals, Friday Harbor Suites, Terry Ogle Painting, and Printonyx

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Visit SJIMA This Summer

Plan your visit to this transformative exhibition and witness how Northwest Coast Indigenous artists are reshaping tradition and identity through contemporary forms. Admission is $10, with free entry for members and youth 18 and under. Mondays are pay-what-you-like days.