Artist in Residence 2023

2023 Artist in Residence Biographies and Projects

Ovvian Castrillo Hill 

Ovvian Castrillo Hill trained as a designer and honed as a design/art writer and consultant when she began sculpting in 2003 under the tutelage of her dad, Eduardo.

Employing familiar materials, she repurposes metals and alters finishes – making for her a distinct Ovvian Castrillo proficiency in her art while undeniably rooted in her sensei’s influence. Each sculpture is personal to her, with a story prodded by emotions culled from her continued evolution as a daughter, a mother, a wife and a woman—and as a Filipino living in Canada.

Ovvian’s work can be found in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the USA and Canada.

In Canada, Ovvian Castrillo Hill has been participating and curating the EX SITU Art Exhibit held at the Peace Gallary North, at the North Peace Cultural Center in Fort St. John, BC, since 2019.

She has also entered and was awarded in numerous art competitions, including a public art design and an award trophy design for the City of Fort St. John, as well as an art competition in South Korea.

It is also in Canada that she has embarked on making filmmaking projects – having received 2 grants to create a documentary series for TELUS STORYHIVE.

John Lambert

John Lambert is of Cree, Carrier and Métis descent and a third-generation First Nations Carver, living in Fort St. John, BC, with his amazing children. Over the years, John has been awarded commission projects to represent Indigenous Carvers for North Eastern BC, with his work featured in the head offices of the First Nations Health Authority in Vancouver and Prince George, among many other projects. 

Through the years, John’s life has been greatly impacted by addictions, both in his immediate family as well as his community.  As a result, he has become heavily involved in the recovery process – as the Founder and Chairman of the Non-Profit “Project Thunderbird,” which specializes in the mentorship of at-risk youth. Currently, John runs the Indigenous Carving Program at the Fort St. John Association for Community Living, working with a unique and vibrant group of individuals. 

He has been commissioned to work on public art carvings, such as the mother bear and baby cub in the Fish Creek Community Forest, which honours the memory of Amanda Black, who tragically passed due to domestic violence. It is my passion for recovery and healing that has brought me to participate in the RECLAIM project, which unites young artists and the environment together through community, connection and creativity