Kelvin Thompson
CULTURAL GROUP:
Ojibwe/Haisla
BIRTH DATE:
November 5, 1958
BIRTHPLACE:
Ste Rose Du Lac, MB
Kelvin Thompson carves jewellery in silver and gold, but also creates bowls and masks from alder, maple, and cedar. In 1979, he studied under and worked with Haisla artists Barry and Derek Wilson at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and in 1980, he carved a totem pole with Haisla carver Henry Robertson for the Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Vancouver, BC. Kelvin has been adopted into Henry's Haisla family. From oxidizing to intricate cut-out work, Kelvin is always experimenting and trying new things with his jewellery. In addition, he has taught many artists how to carve in silver and gold, and he is passionate about passing skills and information on to younger carvers. From September 2007 to February 2008, Kelvin aided Haida/Kwakwaka’wakw artist Dan Wallace in teaching the first annual Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts Program at Vancouver’s Native Education College. In 2009, Kelvin was commissioned to engrave five cuff bracelets for James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Elton John, and Vicki Gabereau for the Vancouver General Hospital & the University of British Columbia's Hospital Foundation fundraiser An Evening with Diana Krall. In 2019, he was featured in the landmark publication Understanding Northwest Coast Indigenous Jewelry by author Alex Dawkins.
