David Neel Native Artist

David Neel comes from a long line of artists. Iconic Kwakwaka'wakw carver Charlie James was his great-great-great grandfather and his great uncle was prolific totem pole carver Mungo Martin. In addition, his grandmother was Ellen Neel, the first professional full-time female First Nations artist in British Columbia.

David Neel Bukwus Mask at Lattimer Gallery

Lattimer Gallery has been carrying David's work for many years, and we facilitate custom orders with him on a regular basis. From masks to wedding bands to paintings on canvas, David possesses a diverse skill set.

David Neel 14k Gold Wedding Band

David was born in 1960 and he apprenticed with Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred between 1987 and 1989. In both 1987 and 1988, Neel earned the Mungo Martin Memorial Award. In 1991, Canada Council Explorations provided him with a grant for his Contemporary Mask Series. The Smithsonian Institution awarded him a Community Scholar Grant in 1992. His photography resulted in two books about Native culture: Our Chiefs and Elders in 1992 and The Great Canoes in 1995. Like some of his prints and masks, these also dealt with contemporary First Nations history.

Corrine Hunt Wedding Bands

It's that time of year again, when Lattimer Gallery gears up for the numerous custom wedding band orders that we receive for weddings that take place during the spring and summer. Ordering custom rings through Lattimer Gallery allows you to select a band that is entirely unique and that meets your particular needs. In terms of material, we work with a wide selection of First Nations artists who use everything from copper and platinum to silver and white gold. In terms of design, you can select a conventional crest figure - such as the raven or wolf - or you can request something less traditional. And in terms of shape, you can request your ring to be flat so it sits flush against your finger, or domed so it has a slight curve and creates a comfort fit.

We have facilitated custom ring orders for over 25 years and always have a large number of artists to work with. We recently worked with Kwakwaka'wakw/Tlingit artist Corrine Hunt on a pair of white gold wedding bands. Both customers loved Corrine's work, but one partner wanted a figurative symbol while the other partner wanted a more modern design. They decided Eagle was the most appropriate symbol for them, so one partner ordered a standard band and the other requested Corrine create a ring with a scalloped edge. The result was fantastic.

Wedding band orders from most artists take between 4-6 weeks. Lattimer Gallery requires a deposit of 50% of the estimated total to get orders started, but we have an open exchange policy and flexible return policy. If our customers are not 100% satisfied with their orders after they come in, we simply refund all deposits. Custom Northwest Coast Native wedding rings are the perfect way to represent this part of the world and to own a truly unique band that will last a lifetime. A wide selection of rings and ring styles can be found on our website: www.lattimergallery.com

2014 Charity Bentwood Box Sneak Peeks

As the bidding start date nears for our 2014 Annual Charity Bentwood Box event, customers have been begging to take a look at the boxes. While it is tempting to reveal the astounding pieces that the artists have come up with this year, we must keep everything under wraps until bidding begins on November 22nd. Having said this, we have photographed the following 'sneak peeks' for you. Let your imagination do the rest!

Michelle Stoney, Peter McKay, Steve Smith

Justin Rivard and Reg Davidson

Shawn Hunt and Donnie Yeomans

Andy Everson and Bradley Hunt

Native Wedding Bands

Lattimer Gallery has long been known for facilitating the creation of gold and white gold wedding bands, for locals and visitors alike. Created in a variety of widths and sizes, rings are custom-made to meet all of the specifics requested by our customers. Hand-engraved with crest symbols from Northwest Coast cultures - such as Raven, Eagle, and Orca - our wedding bands are incredibly unique and personal.

All that we require to begin your custom ring order is ring size, design preference, and material preference. The majority of Native wedding bands are carved in 14k gold, which provides both the necessary durability and richness of colour for a wedding band that will last a lifetime. Please check the gold jewellery section of our website to see a selection of available rings and artists that we represent. Artists such as Ivan Thomas (Nuu-chah-nulth), Kelvin Thompson (Ojibway), Alvin Adkins (Haida), Landon Gunn (Kwakwaka'wakw/Metis), and Jim McGuire (Haida) are some of the carvers that we regularly order gold bands from.

The image to the left is a 'Frog' ring in 14k gold by Landon Gunn.