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B : Brentwood ai a Brentwood eer Fan :
i oi Tru-Value $ it $1 ( Tru-Value $1 ot $1 ( Tru-Value $1
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$1.00 OFF i‘? Family Pak ice Cream : } $1.00 OFF
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42PACK i 4 Litre Pail :: Barbecue Chicken :
t 44 Present this t a Coupon Valid at Brentwood a
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Hires Root Beer and Rasberry Ginger Ale ¢ ; time of purchace = as 4 Limit one coupon per purchase $1
i ___.... COUPON EXPIRES AUG 3/92 _____ {1ST coupow expires Aug 3/92 $1; 1ST __couron exrires auc 392 DE
C e creates soapstone artistry
oupl t
Combining their talents allows Keith and Rita _ are now part of an archaeological display in
Willis to craft elegant soapstone animals — Vancouver.
reflecting the art of the Coast Salish. The couple collect their own soapstone in
The couple, who live on the Tswaout Reserve, Washington State. They use an estimated 3,000
“| began carving soapstone in 1976 and have to 4,000 pounds annually.
continued carving for the past 16 years. “At least half is waste,’ Keith said.
They divide the work. Keith Willis shapes the They work at their carving almost daily.
figures and Rita sands the figures smooth and “She tries to keep me carving 10 to 15 hours a
does the final detailing, such as the etched day — I try to keep it down to six hours,” Keith
feathers cascading down the head andneckofa _jokes, reflecting the camaraderie of 33 years of
carved eagle. mariage.
The couple were living in Keith’s native They will be demonstrating and selling their
Oregon when Keith first started carving. Rita work on Sunday at the Tsartlip Water Festival.
soon joined in the hobby — which became a
vocation when their work began selling. They have also been invited to participate in
“He roughs them out and I finish them off,” _the eighth annual First Peoples Festival, to be
Rita says. Theu son, Keith Jr, also carves held at the Royal B.C. Museum August 8, 9 and
soapstone. 10.
They usually carve animals, especially eagles Both Keith and Rita expect to be at the festival
and owls which are very popular. demonstrating their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some of the figures have a touch of whimsy, August 8, 9 and 10.
such as an otter bearing a stone to crush a shell Native woodworkers and jewelers will also be
-| or a quizzical-eyed beaver. demonstrating their crafts. Other artists will
ee Keith says sales were very good for about make baskets, blankets and beadwork and will
eight to 10 years but have slowed in recent years. knit sweaters.
“Soapstone carving isn’t something people
have to have like food,” he noted. There will be speeches and storytelling by
He also says the high prices charged by the Native elders, sharing the wisdom of B.C’’s first
stores which carry his work make the carvings peoples.
too expensive for some people. Visitors will also be able to sample native
Many stores double the couple’s asking price _ foods, including a salmon barbecue; paddle a
for a carving. When they sell their work directly, traditional Nuu-Chah-Nulth canoe around Vic-

TheReview Wednesday, Jul July 29, 1992 = AD

the prices are much lower, Keith notes.

Some of the their more unusual creations were

stone carvings which reproduced the early work
of Coast Salish carvers.@Some of those pieces

1. Ladies Single

OPENING CEREMONIES START AT NOON SATURDAY AUG 1ST WITH...
OPEN PRAYER SONG BY ELDERS, WELCONE SONG, HONOUR SONG BY YELLOW WOLF SINGERS.

SATURDAY AUG 1ST RACES

toria’s Inner Harbour and see performances of emonstrate

Rita Willis will

Eagles and owls are the most popular figures native dances and songs. et =a and at the First
and otters and turtles the toughest to carve, Keith The opening ceremonies will be held on the OAPSTON CARVER al this ee nd and
says. : Museum grounds at 10 a.m. August 8. Events at the Tso lip Water + 8, 9.aM nd

continue on the grounds until August 10. Festival August

oples’
For more information(call 384-3211. pewe

SUNDAY AUG 2ND RACES

YOUTH RACES . Ladies Single YOUTH RACES

2. Mens Single 9. Single z Mens Single 10. Single
3. Ladies Double 5 to 6 yrs of age 3. Ladies Double 5 to 6 yrs
4. Mens Double 10. Double 4. Mens Double 11. Double
5. Mixed Double 10 yrs & under 5. Buckskins Eleven 10 yrs & under
6. Buckskins Eleven 11. Mixed Double 6. Ladies Eleven 12. Mixed Double
7. Ladies Eleven 12 yrs & under 7. Mens Eleven 12 yrs & under
8. Mens Eleven 12. Youth Six 8. Mens Six 13. Youth Six

12 yrs & under 9. Ladies Six 12 yrs & under

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