Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, is the Coast Salish artist behind the new artwork for the Beban Park Pool grounds. Because the pool’s playful water features are shaped like frogs and fish, the project explores the theme of the estuary. Inspired by the Nanaimo River Estuary, Eliot designed giant wall paintings and a series of colourful fabric banners about the life that exists here in Nanaimo, on the lands of the Snuneymuxw people. This vibrant artwork honours and celebrates waters, land, plants, animals and humans, and points to how all of these elements are deeply connected.
A booklet with associated Stories as well as hul̓q̓umín̓um̓ words and phrases is available free of charge at the pool as well as a free download.
The stories in the booklet are:
Q̓ullhánumucun (Killer Whale) Transformation
K̓wal̓uxw (Dog Salmon) Run
For more information and links to the booklet and recordings of the story, visit the Projects Page of the City of Naniamo