Su-gigyet Art Installation

Su-gigyet: New people

Modern art installation is an iconic landmark

When you drive to Terrace from Thornhill or from the airport, you can’t miss the largest public art piece in the region. Su-gigyet is the name of the powerful collaborative art installation located at the entrance to Terrace at the roundabout of Hwy 37 S and Hwy 16.

The Artists

The art piece was an initiative of the Skeena Salmon Arts Festival Society and was an artist-led public art installation between Master carver, Stan Bevan (Ts’msyen/Tlingit/Tahltan) and his team of apprentices: Brian McKee, Kobe Antoine and Savannah Medeiros.

The other two lead artists are northwestern BC-based wood and metal artists, Roderick Brown of Cohowood Studio and Mike Sorochan of Sarochan Wood and Metal. Bevan’s team carved the three centre sculptures, featuring wooden carvings of human forms. The human figures are enshrouded in aluminum and copper sculpted by Mike Sorochan. The centre sculpture is surrounded by six 9-foot wooden salmon carvings with aluminum design elements inspired by the Skeena River, created by Rod Brown.

The installation is not only an example of reconciliation through the arts but it celebrates the importance of salmon to the people of northwestern BC.

View the installation

The safest place to check out this landmark art piece is on the southeast corner of the roundabout at the Community Corner viewing area located adjacent to the EV chargers at the park and ride area. The lookout offers a great spot to zoom in on the sculpture.

The name Su-gigyet

Su-gigyet is the name given this project by the late Kitselas elder Mel Bevan. Its literal translation means “new people” in the Sm’algyax language of the Ts’msyen people. The underlying meaning is “the original people have adopted a new way of doing things.”

It is pronounced: Su = shoe gi = gee gyet = get

Spotlight

Honouring the late Mel Bevan

In the summer of 2023 the Skeena Salmon Arts Festival Society sat down with Mel Bevan to talk about the name Su-gigyet and hear about the importance of the Skeena River and the salmon that have sustained life here for generations.

Learn More