Bemidji, MN - Friday, January 17 from 5 to 7pm, Watermark Art Center will hold a reception for Mayaadaaboonojig exhibiting artists Zac Earley and Arden Ramay. Earley, an Ojibwe culture keeper, will speak about the exhibit and then he will follow with Ojibwe storytelling or Aadizookewin, the act of telling a sacred story.

Mayaadaaboonojig, meaning “The Ones Drifting Off on the Current”, is centered around a traditional build of a birchbark canoe (2024). Colorful floral paintings by Ardin Ramay plus mixed media birch etchings and Ojibwe story portraits by Earley are also on display making this a mix of traditional and contemporary Ojibwe-style work. The energy and heart given to the project resulted in an exceptionally beautiful canoe that honors the stories of the Ojibwe people.

Watermark partnered with Oshki Manidoo, a Bemidji-based White Earth operated recovery center, to move forward with exploring community wellness through arts. Oshki Manidoo provided space where youth and staff were able to watch and participate in various aspects of assembling the canoe.

The title of this exhibit perfectly encompasses the journey taken for this meaningful accomplishment. Watermark is truly grateful to the people at Oshki Manidoo that supported and contributed to the project.

This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. In addition Watermark Art Center would like to thank Oshki Manidoo Center, White Earth Nation Behavioral Health and Language and Culture Program.

For more exhibit information, exhibit images and Ojibwe language pronunciation visit watermarkartcenter.org/drifting/. Watermark is accessible, free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information regarding exhibits, classes, or events contact 218-444-7570 or visit watermarkartcenter.org.