Steve Smith - Paul Harris Fellow
 
Steve Smith Presented With Paul Harris Fellow By George Renshaw, A 62 Year Club Member And Paul Harris Fellow
 
Photography: Davis Ferris
Story: George Renshaw
Presentation: Port Dover Yacht Club, June 23, 2015
 

Steve Smith

 

Steve was born and raised on the Six Nations Reserve near Hagersville.

He is a ceramic artist who creates pots using modern techniques, reflecting ancient designs and symbols from the Iroquois. He is a renowned artist and an ambassador for the Six Nations community. He belongs to the Turtle Clan of the Mohawk Nation.

At this Talking Earth studio on the Reserve, Steve and his wife Leigh learned the technique from his mother, Elda.

At one time, clay pots were essential for cooking and storage but when the Europeans came and brought iron kettles, the natives treated their furs for the more durable pots and the skills to make pottery were set aside. In the 1960s, the Ontario Arts Council taught a few Six Nations women the art of pottery and the Mohawk Pottery was formed. Steve's mother was one of these artists.

Each of Steve's pieces is handmade in the sgraffito technique of etching and then glaze with 15 to 20 layers of clay slip. The pieces are very spiritual with their own pattern of symbols usually animals, plants and people.

Rooted in Iroquois tradition, he has the ability to teach native culture and beliefs which are fundamental to all our beliefs. The story of creation, the continuous life circle of renewal or rebirth, the four seasons and family are just a few symbols in his work. His own Turtle Clan symbolizes the balance of the fertile land and life sustaining water.

In 1977, he was invited to a reception with the Queen and Prince Philip to honor young Canadians who have achieved excellence in the Arts and Sciences.

He has his work in the Museum of Man in Ottawa, the Smithsonian in New York, the ROM in Toronto as well as in museums, galleries, corporations and private collections throughout the world. He has created pots for Buffy Sainte-Marie, David Suzuki, former Prime Minister Paul Martin, Wayne and Janet Gretzky and George smoothen Smitherman to name a few.

Through the education of native culture and beliefs, and through understanding of the spiritual stories, Steve is helping to bring knowledge of our first Nations people through his art. This also celebrates the ideas that we all share and make us all one.

 

Paul Harris Graphic

 

 

 

Steve Smith is the newest The Rotary Club of Simcoe Paul Harris Fellow recipient. He joins the ranks of 97 other Paul Harris Fellows awarded by The Rotary Club of Simcoe since 1975.