STEPHANIE BRYENTON

Anishinabek artist from Whitefish River First Nation, Birch Island, ON. Stephanie has been an Indigenous self-taught artist for 10 years creating dreamcatchers and beaded crafts. She studied at the University of Guelph earning a degree in psychology and family studies.

Stephanie continues to be involved in the Indigenous communities of the Guelph area and advocating for Indigenous families. With her education background and community involvement, Stephanie is able to create art with meanings that are more than what meets the eye.

"I started to create dreamcatchers about 10 years ago as a self-taught artist. My aunt and owner of Hides in Hand, Teresa, was my main inspiration for starting to experiment as an Indigenous artist. Anything she could supply me was given before I even asked, and her support was truly unconditional."

"With help from my aunt, I created this dreamcatcher with the medicine wheel colours because I wanted to incorporate a sense of equality and well-being in my work. Because I am an artist by leather, feathers and sinew, I would not have been able to transfer my art onto Hides in Hand products without my partner, Chanel. Chanel is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Studio Art program with a practice in oil painting, printmaking and drawing. Chanel was able to digitize my dreamcatcher to bring it to life as an embroidered piece."

"I can’t think of a better way to honour my art then to collaborate with my aunt and partner. This piece really came from an immense amount of love for my family, and I am beyond grateful to now have the opportunity to share it with all of you."

"Chi Miigwetch."

-Stephanie Bryenton