áhsire: ceremony is where you are
áhsire is a beadwork and textile public art installation by Raechel Wastesicoot as part of a public art residency with STEPS Public Art and in partnership with Critical Mass in Port Hope, Ontario.
Project at a glance
Location: Port Hope Town Hall, 56 Queen St, Port Hope, Ontario
Artists: Raechel Wastesicoot
Documentarians: Two Blue Shirts Productions
Year: 2024
Services: Artist Capacity Building
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About áhsire: ceremony is where you are
áhsire is a quilted blanket and public art project by mixed Kanyen’kehà:ka artist Raechel Wastesicoot that incorporates intricate beadwork, textiles and quilting to depict shared memories and moments of personal and traditional ceremony. Capturing special sentiments in the lives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, áhsire currently hangs inside the Town Hall in Port Hope, Ontario.
“STEPS provided the support I needed to explore new techniques and expand my artistic practice. I loved the mentorship aspect of the residency, which was incredibly meaningful to me. Being able to connect with the Port Hope community and learning from other artists helped create the space for me to grow as an artist.”
The blanket and its corresponding poem explore the idea of placemaking (and what makes something, somewhere, or someone feel like home). áhsire is inspired by Raechel’s personal experience in building connection to community, Indigenous storytelling, participating in moon ceremonies, and her day-to-day interactions with loved ones.
As part of the CreateSpace Public Art Residency by STEPS Public Art, this was Raechel’s first formal time participating in a residency program to create community-inspired public artwork. In partnership with Critical Mass (a local not-for-profit contemporary art organization in Port Hope), Raechel also received teachings and mentorship from Iakonikonriiosta (Sheree Bonaparte) with quilting assistance from Heather Coates.
“We were delighted to partner with STEPS, as their values aligned with our own organizational values. STEPS developed a program that provides artist capacity building supports, advocacy, and new experiences for artists to develop their art practices.”
About the Artist
Raechel Wastesicoot
Raechel Wastesicoot (Bonomo) is a mixed Kanyen’kehá:ka interdisciplinary beadworker and land-based engagement specialist. Her mother’s family is from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and her father’s family immigrated to Tkaronto from Northern Italy in the early 1960s. Her spirit name is Mein-gun Kwe, meaning wolf woman, which was gifted to her by an Ojibway Elder. Following a teaching passed down to her: from the land, for the land, and by the land, her contemporary beadwork style features upcycled, vintage, and harvested materials. The land and sustainability is at the centre of her practice. The pieces Raechel creates aim to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible, often highlighting gifts from the land, including antler, fur, hides, and porcupine quills. She is also passionate about building and healing community through public art praxis and engagement.
Funders
The 2024 CreateSpace Residency is supported by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada and TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment. We also acknowledge the funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario.
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