b'ART MEETS COMMERCESharifah Marsdens diverse artistic skills encompass everything from jewelry making to the creation of large murals. Pictured here is a mural she helped create for the Native Education College, in collaboration with artists Corey Bulpitt, Jerry Whitehead and local students and volunteersof her pieces, especially her jewelry.Marsden initially supplemented herBuilding a full-time career in the arts, Her wish is to balance new visions withincome by teaching art at local collegesMarsden says, requires a good under-historical design and ensure a connec- and schools. While it was intended as astanding of the ever-shifting nature of the tion with her cultural heritage. I trust mytemporary measure to help her out finan- business and its many ebbs and flows. own creativity, she says.cially in her early years, she continuesEven in the slowest periods, Marsden to teach to this day, a decision shedoes not remain idle. She is always EARLY INFLUENCE says is both pragmatic and immenselyactively networking, looking for calls for Marsdens creativity stems from years offulfilling. I believe in passing down whatartists, and developing her own craft: I learning her craft. She originally learnedIve learned to the younger generation,apply for around 10 different calls a year to paint from her mother, and then asMarsden says. I think creating art is suchand then constantly, at the same time, an adult she trained in beadwork, leath- a beautiful practice. Its healing forcreate jewelry and paintings. erworking and regalia. Eventually, sheme and empowering. I want to make added mural painting to her roster ofsure I continue to teach that to theSurvival, Marsden says, is the mother skills. Her mural Zhawenjigewin (Love inyounger people and inspire arts withinof invention, and she credits her ever-Anishinaabe) was featured in the 2017that generation. growing and diverse income streams Vancouver Mural Festival. Her work has also been exhibited at the Lattimer Gallery in Vancouver, one of the coun-trys leading galleries for Indigenous art.Jewelry making was another skill Marsden learned from her family. She has a certif-icate in Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts from the Native Education College, as well as a diploma in Jewellery and Object Design from the Vancouver Metal Arts School, and she attended the fine arts program at Langara College.Marsdens multidisciplinary approach to art has stood her in good stead when it comes to monetizing her talent into a viable income stream. Still, the first. .few years werent easy, she says. In the beginning, trying to make an income off what your artwork brings in is really challenging, she recalls. Trying to get your name out is a challenge. Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 73'