From a media release:
Get an exclusive look inside the award-winning Indigenous fine art gallery Coastal Carvings and see the day-to-day lives and moving personal stories of several exceptional Indigenous artists – each dedicated to the unified passion of keeping culture and tradition alive through art – in the new docuseries Coastal Carvings (13 x 30′). Produced by Rogue River Films, Coastal Carvings premieres on APTN lumi starting Aug. 25. The series has its broadcast premiere on Monday, Sept. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. MT / 5:30 p.m. PT, with a new episode airing every week. The Blackfoot version of Coastal Carvings premieres Sept. 1 on APTN Languages at 9:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT. All episodes (English and Blackfoot) stream for free on APTN lumi starting Aug. 25.
“Art tells the story of Indigenous culture in ways that language often cannot,” says Todd Forsbloom, Métis producer, director, and co-founder, Rogue River Films. “We are happy to be able to share these artists’ traditional knowledge, exceptional crafts, and moving stories through the medium we specialize in – television.”
“Anyone who has ever tried to build something for the first time, or make their creative vision come to life, will love this series. It’s incredibly satisfying to ride along with these hilarious, passionate, and resourceful artists as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to create a masterpiece,” says Adam Garnet Jones, APTN’s Director of TV Content and Special Events.
Métis brothers Jeremy and Jerett Humpherville work together at the Coastal Carvings Fine Art Gallery in Coombs, BC, which is renowned around the world for its breathtaking contemporary and historic Indigenous art. The new docuseries of the same name tells the story of how the brothers, who sometimes butt heads, bring big ideas to life by teaming up with other traditionally-trained Indigenous artists across multiple different backgrounds and mediums who are dedicated to their craft and culture. Each episode focuses on different personal stories and inspiring art pieces – from delicate works to public commissions and entire home renovations that require heavy machinery – and the obstacles they must overcome to realize each expertly crafted work of art. For the team, no project is too big and no dream is too far out of reach. Nature inspires much of the artwork – and the series also showcases the beauty of Canada’s West Coast.
The first two episodes include:
Episode 1 – Welcome to Coastal Carvings
At Coastal Carvings, brothers Jeremy and Jerett take on a new bedroom set commission. Meanwhile, Jeremy mentors up-and-coming artist Levi, and his own daughter, Thea.
Episode 2 – Everything Taking Shape
It’s back to the drawing board for Jeremy when a request for a redesign on the custom bedroom set comes in. Meanwhile, on the Sunshine Coast, Levi collaborates artistically with family and community members.
Featured artists work across several mediums – from wood to metal to beads – and include gallery owners Jeremy and Jerett Humpherville (Coombs, BC), artist Lisa Shepherd (Lower Mainland, BC), cedar weaver Shy Watters (Sunshine Coast, BC), carver Derek Georgeson (Sunshine Coast, BC), artist Kaija Heitland (Cowichan Bay, BC), jewelry designer Jordan Syberg (Pincher Creek, AB), aspiring artist Thea Humpherville (Coombs, BC), woodshop assistant Jacob Holgate (Coombs, BC), and artist in training Levi Purjue (Sunshine Coast, BC).
Founded in 2004 by Jeremy Humpherville and his wife Darlene Humpherville, the fine art gallery Coastal Carvings specializes in fine art and custom home designs. As an Indigenous art gallery, it features a diverse collection of traditional and contemporary works by Indigenous artists from across Canada, including the Haida, Tsimshian, Salish, Ojibway, Cree, Nuu-chah-nulth, Métis, and Inuit Nations. The gallery also showcases select pieces from other accomplished West Coast artists.
A Rogue River Films original production, Coastal Carvings is executive produced by Jim Shockey and co-created and co-produced by Todd Forsbloom and Erik Virtanen. Virtanen also acts as writer along with Natalie Glubb. The series is narrated by Patsy Tuba. Coastal Carvings is made with the financial participation of the Canadian Media Fund.
Follow Rogue River Films for Coastal Carvings information on Instagram and YouTube. Follow the Coastal Carvings Fine Art Gallery directly on Facebook.
ABOUT ROGUE RIVER FILMS
Rogue River Films is an award-winning, Vancouver Island based Indigenous production company co-owned and operated by Métis filmmaker Todd Forsbloom and outdoor writer, adventurer, wildlife photographer / videographer, and executive producer Jim Shockey. The company specializes in inspiring, cinematic outdoor adventure content that celebrates Indigenous lives and culture and the great outdoors. Recent credits include Yukon Harvest on APTN, the APTN docuseries Coastal Carvings, and the feature length TELUS Original documentary Northern Stars. For updates on new projects and behind-the-scenes content, follow Rogue River Films on Instagram and YouTube.
