“The Circle Drawn Perfect: Artists Are Stronger Together” Fall Workshop with Jason Sikoak
Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM EST
Where: Virtually via Zoom
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Artists are stronger together! This workshop intends to provide Indigenous Artists with a space of empowerment and unity. How can we connect in ways that empower all of us as a collective as we navigate spaces that can feel isolating and draining? How can we lift each other up to continue developing our artistry?
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER
I am an interdisciplinary Inuk artist, who was born and raised in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut (Labrador). I hold a BFA in Studio Arts and Art History (With Distinction) from Concordia University in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) where I am currently based. I am currently a MFA candidate, in Fibre and Material Practices, also at Concordia University, Montreal.
My words and works have been published in Canadian Art, Inuit Art Quarterly, and Inuktitut Magazine; exhibited at La Guilde, The Rooms, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. I have two coin designs that were minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, and I have been long listed for the Sobey Art Award, (2024) in the newly introduced Circumpolar Category.
I consider myself to be a maker of things, rooted deep in the world of necessity and scarcity of my younger, formative years, believing that all materials have creative potential. I find joy and confidence in figuring out how to bring my ideas to life, using unconventional media.
To continue exploring the unconventional, I am faced with several questions: What is the difference between Art and Craft? What is Inuit Art? What is the definitive marker? What role do I play in these definitions? What do the roles of sexuality and gender play in the traditional forms of what was defined as Inuit Art? What can one such as myself do to subvert the colonial narrative?
As I transform as an artist, these are questions that I now have the courage to ask myself, and present the beginning of an answer.
As always, I am inspired by stories from elders and my connection to my heritage, culture, and the many lives that I have lived. These inspirations, alongside conversations with fellow artists and people of the Circumpolar world, is allowing me the privilege to create an ongoing body of work that is an exploration.
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REGISTRATION
After registering, you will receive an email with a Zoom link and additional workshop information.
CAPACITY
Space for this workshop is limited to 50 attendees.
ATTENDEE EXPECTATIONS
We ask you to come with your curiosity and questions! Discussion and engagement are encouraged.
ACCESSIBILITY
This workshop series will be held in English through Zoom with Closed Captioning enabled through auto-transcription technology. There will be discussions throughout the workshop, and so the use of audio will be used for participation.
Other accommodations can be made if we are informed ahead of time. The use of video is strongly encouraged for all attendees to contribute to the learning experience.
CODE OF CONDUCT
By registering for this workshop, you agree to respect the following terms:
Difficult conversations may arise; you agree to maintain a safe and respectful space for everyone to participate in discussions. CARFAC reserves the right to remove participants from workshop sessions if they use discriminatory language, personal attacks, inappropriate behaviour or violent threats.
No recording or broadcasting of audio or video of the workshop by registered participants is permitted.
No sharing of personal Zoom registration links/codes with people not registered for the workshop. Additionally, you agree not to transfer the Zoom link/code to a substitute attendee unless permitted to do so by CARFAC.
Please contact CARFAC National Programs Director Larissa at larissa@carfac.ca if you have any questions about the Professional Development for Indigenous Artists workshop series.