Arsene Arcand talks sculpting, family, and becoming Edmonton’s Indigenous Artist-in-Residence.
A sitdown with Arsene Arcand.
Arsene Arcand, a sculptor from Alexander First Nation in Treaty 6 territory, was appointed Edmonton’s Indigenous Artist-in-Residence for 2025. It marks the 4th iteration of the position, and lasts through to next June.
“I got [the position] in June, and it’s been a little bit of work to find a studio space and all that. And just a ton of people working tirelessly to move mountains for me,” he said in an interview. “And I’m so, so thankful.”
Arcand’s style involves mixing indigenous and contemporary art to explore how the two cultures coincide. His most recent project reflects this, a monument to residential school survivors in Salridge First Nation, near Slave Lake, Alberta. He worked on the project with his uncle and said that his family was the main factor in him getting into art. “My art started when I was 8, [it] was with my uncle,” he explained. “He got me to just start something, start carving.”
Arcand is the first sculptor to be appointed to this position. He believes the 3D aspect of sculpture is the best way for him to create. “I also really, really enjoy the difficulty of working with stone,” he said. “You have to be mindful of your concept of the art piece that you’re working on. Any fault lines, any sort of characteristics in the stone that you want to enhance or kind of take away or quiet down.”
His project in Salridge First Nation will be unveiled to the public in October.
