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New Crawford Lake exhibit celebrates relationship between people and the land

"The Three Sisters" opens Saturday and will be on display on weekends and holidays until Feb. 23 in the Deer Clan Longhouse gallery
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A new exhibit is coming to Crawford Lake Conservation Area.

NEWS RELEASE
CONSERVATION HALTON
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Conservation Halton is pleased to present a new exhibit featuring the artwork and stories by talented Tuscarora artist, Raymond R. Skye. The exhibit, titled The Three Sisters opens Nov. 9, 2024 and will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays until Feb. 23, 2025 in the beautiful Deer Clan Longhouse gallery at Crawford Lake Conservation Area, 3115 Conservation Road, Milton. 

The exhibit will engage guests in a rich experience combining art and education to build understanding of the importance of agriculture in Longhouse cultures. Hosted in the modern gallery space in the reconstructed 15th-century Longhouse Village, this exhibit will shed light on the importance of corn, bean and squash agriculture, and the relationship between people and the land.  

Guests are invited to join in the official exhibit opening on Saturday, November 9 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Come and meet the artist and learn about the exhibit and Raymond’s talent for sharing culture through art. A selection of Raymond’s pieces illustrating his artistic legacy will also be on display. 

“Much of my artwork reflects my cultural teachings. I believe those teachings continue to guide me, and help me to portray my culture with the authenticity and dignity it deserves. Visuals are very important to the learning process for it helps the viewer to better comprehend the story behind the imagery. My ability to create such visuals allows me to enhance the history I want to portray.”

- Artist Raymond R. Skye  

“We are thrilled to be able to showcase Raymond R. Skye’s beautiful collection—for the community to enjoy,” said Craig Machan,  Director, Parks & Operations, Conservation Halton. “We have been privileged to work with Mr. Skye on a number of different projects and want to thank him for all his efforts to bring this unique, new exhibit to life”.

“The value of Raymond Skye's artistry is immeasurable. In an information age where ideas and influences are transferred around the globe at the speed of light, it is vitally important that distinct cultures and nations have in place powerful and sustainable mechanisms for their preservation. As an earnest and life-long student and teacher of Haudenosaunee culture, Ray's contributions to his heritage are numerous and exceptional. His art documents the primary narratives of Haudenosaunee origin, emergence and history, enveloping substance within imagery that informs cultural awareness and inspires the people to forever remember. The presence of an artist like Raymond Skye in our community and nation is not only invaluable, it is essential!”

- Tim Johnson, Associate Director for Museum Programs, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington and New York 

For more information on this event and all the other happenings at Conservation Halton Parks, visit www.conservationhalton.ca/events. For additional inquiries, Conservation Halton Visitor Services staff can be reached by telephone at 905-878-5011 or by email at [email protected]

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