Reach the goal, gift the pole

Join us for a night of art and culture on Friday, Aug 18 at Hotel Leo, 5-7:30pm

Throughout the spring and summer, Lummi artist Jason LaClair labored to put the final touches on a ceremonial totem pole in the Hotel Leo space as part of Art Walk in downtown Bellingham. Now—as his work nears completion—come questions for the next phase for this unique art object: Who will receive the pole? Will it be a gift or donation?  

Children of the Setting Sun Productions, who helped sponsor and present the carving, will hold a fundraiser for Jason LaClair's work to help answer these questions at a Story Pole Fundraiser on Friday, August 18, 5-7:30pm at the Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham.

The carving forms the centerpiece of QwotQwem —meaning “noisy waters” in Xwlemi Chosen—an ad-hoc gallery dedicated to honoring local Native and Indigenous artists. LaClair is completing the ceremonial pole originally begun by carver Samuel Cagey Jr., a beloved Lummi tribal elder whose health was poorly impacted by COVID-19. LaClair’s work is intended to honor and benefit the work of Cagey’s carving and complete his story.  

LaClair, who is of Lummi and Nooksack heritage, has been practicing art over the last 29 years as a self-taught artist. Through firsthand expertise and instruction, students learned the distinctive style and unique characteristics of Coast Salish art before painting their own canvases using the shapes and tradition of Coast Salish art. LaClair has also painted murals at several schools and taught lessons on Lummi totem pole carving as part of a larger tribal effort to bring Since Time Immemorial curricula to local schools.  

The next phase of the pole’s journey involves developing funds sufficient to deliver the pole as a charitable community gift, according to CSSP Executive Director Darrell Hillaire. The Story Pole Fundraiser will provide an opportunity to learn more about LaClair and the ceremonial pole, and will include a silent auction to help develop those funds. Light fare and refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP at info@settingsunproductions.org.

If you have a silent auction item to donate please fill out the Story Pole Fundraiser Form.

The recipient of the Story Pole will be announced at Bellingham SeaFeast on Sunday, October 15, 2023.