Handmade Indigenous Art

 

Fredrick Lyle Spence (Thunder Bear) was born and raised in Peguis First Nation. He has enjoyed being creative in various forms for most of his life. Upon graduation from high school at 16 years old, Fred moved to Winnipeg where he worked construction for 5 years before discovering a specific interest in electrical work. He went on to become a journeyman electrician and successfully completed electrical engineering technology diploma. For a variety of reasons, during his early years of adulthood Fred developed a substance abuse issue. It was art that allowed him to successfully take his life back.

 
 

Initially it was woodworking that he found to be beneficial for his mental wellbeing and shortly thereafter developed a love of soapstone carving. Fred’s emotions and feelings go in to his artwork and all represent particular stages of his recovery. He currently volunteers at Siloam Mission, where he teaches soapstone carving in hopes that the art form will benefit others as it has him.

Book a Workshop

Workshop Experience 

Soapstone carving is an experience with every piece you create. My first attempt carried happiness, hard-work, frustration and finally anger when I had dropped it and it broke into multiple pieces.  My feeling of defeat lasted about a week before I started my second attempt. I learned from all my mistakes and the process was enjoyable. When I had finally finished the piece, I had this amazing feeling of joy for my accomplishment.  When I do workshops, I get to teach others about that experience and it's something very rewarding seeing an individual light up after completing their own piece.