Beth McCubbin
visual artist & conservator
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the clay project

The Clay Project started as a discussion between visual artist Beth McCubbin and aboriginal youth worker Kateri Miles, from Minwaashin Lodge in Vanier, Ottawa. The intent of the project is to offer free clay workshops to Ottawa's Aboriginal Community, to celebrate Community through the creation of a Public Artwork, and as a positive way to be involved in the Canada 150 celebrations.

Once permanently installed, the mural will be accompanied by a plaque to celebrate all Indigenous Peoples in 2017. It will distinguish this time in history as Year One of Reconciliation in Canada and commemorate our present and future as a Proud Strong Diverse Nation.

The mural is presently composed of 80 tiles made by over 75 participants...and still growing...

first morning at Minwaashin Lodge!

Two mothers and three children. One boy maybe 9 and two little girls, 5. The little girls liked the video (as did the others) and even asked to watch it again! Success = Not a boring video that only clay nuts would appreciate.

All of them were eager to carve and paint their tiles...the boy used paper to design his and the two little girls just jumped right in! All of the finished tiles are so beautiful and meaningful to each participant! 

Conversation and interest was lively and fun throughout the morning...interestingly one of the little girls asked me very seriously if I was 'Native'. I said no that I was mostly 'Scottish', she considered this a moment and then seemed quite happy with that answer.

so carefully yet confidently created, she knew exactly what she was doing

so carefully yet confidently created, she knew exactly what she was doing

self portrait

self portrait

the very carefully crafted the young boy, Tawodi's tile

the very carefully crafted the young boy, Tawodi's tile

by using the technique of pointillism, making an image out of dots, or in this case pinholes, this tile looks so much like it has been beaded!!

by using the technique of pointillism, making an image out of dots, or in this case pinholes, this tile looks so much like it has been beaded!!

this tile is also beautifully highlighted with the use of little dots. Little did I know how popular the use of flower imagery was going to be; so nice that the natural world is constantly represented in these tiles!

this tile is also beautifully highlighted with the use of little dots. Little did I know how popular the use of flower imagery was going to be; so nice that the natural world is constantly represented in these tiles!

Beth McCubbin