Colour Works: Children’s Paintings and Orange Shirt Day as Acts of Reconciliation

Posted Jan 10, 2022

August 22 – December 4, 2022
Andrea Walsh & Carey Newman, curator
Fisher Gallery
Roush Hall, 27 S. Grove Street

Colour Works highlights acts of reconciliation across Canada around the legacy of residential and day schools, which Indigenous children were forced to attend between the 1870s and 1990s. Orange T-Shirts, inspired by the experience of Survivor Phyllis Webstad, whose own orange shirt was taken on her first day of residential school, have become national symbols of remembrance and honour for the children, for Survivors, and Intergenerational Survivors. Every September 30th on Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Canadians wear Orange T-shirts with unique designs by contemporary Indigenous artists, some of which are featured in this exhibition. Large-format prints of paintings made by children at the Alberni Indian Residential School also are part of the installation. The paintings tell the stories of a small group of Survivors who have worked for over a decade to return rare childhood artworks to their creators and their families with intentions of healing families and educating public audiences.

Location and Hours

Fisher Gallery
Roush Hall
27 S. Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081

9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily
Closed Holidays and Breaks

614-823-1792

All exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Ridsar Port Alberni Atleo Mark B2 47

Sockeye Salmon
by Mark Atleo, Ahousaht First Nation
Alberni Residential School