Art & History at UVic

The Cornett building is named for Thomas Warren Cornett, and today it houses works of art by artists from The Coast and Straits Salish peoples as part of permanent and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. The image seen here is from a work entitled Reflections by lessLIE (2011). We reproduced this image as a window film on the entrance doors of the Cornett Building.

Works of art by artists from these nations are installed throughout the Cornett Building as part of permanent and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. The dedication of space in this building to artistic excellence recognizes the valuable intellectual and cultural contributions made by the arts to research and teaching in the Social Sciences.

With special thanks to the External Relations Officer of the University of Victoria, we offer you a guided walkthrough of the art exhibitions within the Cornett Building. For all of us at Sun Shade, playing even a small role in this exhibit dedicated to the Coast and Straits Salish peoples was a joy and an honour. The next time you are on campus you should set some time aside to take a look, it really is a wonderful collection.

Starting from First People’s House, walk into the courtyard of the Cornett Building. Under the first breezeway, turn right and enter the building through the glass double doors (Room B135 will be straight ahead). Upon entering the building, turn left. Along the left side of the hallway are:

Memory – Susan Point (2005) Finding Balance – Chris Paul (2011)

Continue straight down the hall and head out the glass double doors. Reenter the building on the other side of the breezeway. After reentering the building , turn right. Along the left side of the hallway there are 9 large prints displayed, which comprise The Salish Weave Collection. These original limited edition serigraphs were commissioned by George and Christiane Smyth, and donated to the university in memory of Dr. Morgan Baker, a long-time professor in the Sociology Department. From left to right, the prints are:

Swan Drum – Chris Paul (2004)
Thunderbird and Killerwhale – lessLIE (2004)
Answer to the Call – Maynard Johnny Jr. (2004)
Over Black Tusk – Susan Point (2005)
Four Serpents – lessLIE (2007)
Sun, Salmon, Frogs and Ravens – lessLIE (2007)
Conservation – Chris Paul (2004)
Thunderbird Paddle – Maynard Johnny Jr. (2006)
Salish Community – lessLIE (2007)

Turn around. Head straight down the hallway and past the entrance doors you used earlier. Follow the sign pointing to the Psychology Clinic (A163) and head through the double wooden doors just to the left of the Pepsi machine. Partway down this hallway, and opposite another set of entrance doors, is:

Spirit of the Taku – Susan Point (2004)

Continue down the hallway and on your right will be staircase. Take Stairwell 2 up to the 2nd floor. Once out of the staircase, and into the hall, turn left. Walk down the hall a short distance, and turn right at the gray door to the elevation, just before reaching the clock mounted on the wall. Immediately on your right is:

Discovery – Susan Point (2005)

Follow the jog in the hallway and walk past the Psychology General Office. Continue down the hall and through the double wood doors. Partway down the hallway, on your right, outside Room A221, are:

Manawanui – Susan Point (2005)
Halibut State 1 of 111 – Susan Point (2007)

Further down this hallway is Stairwell 8. Take the staircase down to the 1st floor. Go through the double doors and turn left. On your left, on the wall outside Room A121 is:

Symphony of Butterflies – Susan Point (2006)

Retrace your steps and head back up Stairwell 8 to the 2nd floor. Walk back down the hall and take the hallway on your right that starts directly opposite Room A221. Follow this hallway until it intersects another hallway. Turn left when you reach the intersection (you will be facing the doors to the women’s washroom and Room B235). Immediately on your left is:

Transformation – Susan Point (2005)

Farther along the hallway, just outside the Anthropology General Office is:

Spirit Guardian – Susan Point (2005)

There is a staircase directly opposite Spirit Guardians. Take Stairwell 6 up to the 3rd floor. Exit the stairwell and turn left. Follow this hallway to the end. Along the wall facing the door to the Faculty/Staff Lounge (Room B344) are:

Frog – Andy Peterson (undated)
Haayiitlik (Sea Serpent) – Ray Sim (2004)
Bear – Andy Peterson (undated)

Take Stairwell 7 down to the 1st floor and the exit through the double glass doors on your left (opposite Room B135). These doors will take you back into the courtyard. Turn left and walk back towards First Peoples House. You are now back where you started.