With a focus on mentorship between emerging and established artists, we will preserve, revitalize, strengthen, respect, and honor Indigenous contributions to Canadian art. This program is designed to foster a more substantive relationship between artists working on a national or international level to mentor local artists in the Saskatoon and surrounding areas. Year Two is ka’ksimo (Blackfoot for sage) signifying the release of the past, and moving into the future.
Our recently-renovated Artist-in-Residence studio is 414 sq ft, with a projector, Dutch door to give artists control over their public interactions, sink, and plenty of storage.
2025 Artist-in-Residence Line-Up
ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH/Lyndon Tootoosis
ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH/Lyndon Tootoosis is a Cree stone carver and storyteller whose career spans over thirty years. During his childhood, ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH learned the traditional ways of creating Cree ceremonial pipes and was guided by his late father in ceremonies, teachings, and storytelling. ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH shares the gifts of his ancestors with others to preserve knowledge and to protect and live in harmony with the land and one another. With the permission of Elders, ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH shares these teachings through his stone carvings, and uses his artistic practice as a means of intergenerational trauma.
ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH worked with the Allen Sapp Gallery for eleven years as the cultural development Lead, where he oversaw the development of exhibitions and and programming. He has volunteered with SK Arts for over twenty two years where he serves on the board of directors to help implement policy and develop inclusion strategies for Indigenous people. ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH’s stone carvings are found in many public and private collections throughout Saskatchewan, as well as nationally and internationally.
ASKIKHAPMOTAHTAH will be in the Artist-in-Residence Studio March 7th – April 6th.
Jennifer Larocque
Jennifer Larocque is an emerging Indigenous fashion designer hailing from Fond-Du-Lac First Nation on Treaty 8 Denesųłįné Territory, and currently resides in Warman with her husband and three children. Jennifer holds a diploma in Business Adminstration and a certificate in Office Administration. Wanting to explore cultural fashion designs such as ribbon skirts, Jennifer became a self-taught seamstress, and now makes her artistic visions come to life. Jennifer has facilitated sewing classes with SIIT, and plans to study fashion design to further her abilities.
Jennifer will be in the Artist-in-Residence Studio May 5th- 30th.
Thank you to Athabasca Basin Development for sponsoring Jennifer’s residency and their commitment to bring Indigenous artists from the Athabasca Basin to Wanuskewin.
Franchesca Raven Bell
Franchesca Raven Bell, or yutəlx, is a Syilx Nation member with heritage connections to the Secwepemc Nation. She currently lives and works on the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve in her community, where she actively engages in language revitalization efforts. She has worked with various mediums and specializes in using digital art as her primary creative medium, utilizing technology to express her artistic vision. Franchesca’s art is deeply rooted in her language and culture, and she believes that nqilxʷcn/nsyilxcn and the connection to the land are central to her nation.
Franchesca will be in the Artist-in-Residence Studio July 2nd – August 1st.
Jerry Whitehead
Jerry will be in the Artist-in-Residence Studio September 1st – 26th.
Bio coming soon.
Past Artists
Artist-in-Residence Application
Artist Mentor/Mentee Application
Apply to be an artist mentor or mentee with an artist completing a residency at Wanuskewin!
Aligning with our mandate, our residencies and mentorships are only available to Indigenous artists.
