CULTURAL GROUP:
Haida

BORN:
April 3, 1963

BIRTHPLACE:
Skidegate, Haida Gwaii

Bill Bellis is mostly self-taught. He was born into the Raven, Wolf, and Killerwhale Clan of the Haida Village of Tanu. He works in many different art forms such as silkscreen prints, masks, rattles, totem poles, and jewellery using wood, argillite, gold, silver, and ivory. He apprenticed with renowned Haida artist Bill Reid from 1986 to 1987. He also worked with Parks Canada in the 1990s, straightening and reinforcing the old totem poles in Ninstints, BC. In 2008, Bill was commissioned to complete two large cedar welcome panels for the city of Skidegate, Haida Gwaii.