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Cowichan Valley's Vickers creates inspiration VIU suite

At a special event Wednesday, May 27 at Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus, the university celebrated the unveiling of a unique Ceremonial Convocation Suite, designed by the Cowichan Valley's Arthur Vickers.

The suite, which is made up of chairs for the chancellor, president and vice-president plus a bentcorner box designed to hold degree parchments was created by Vickers, OBC, DFA, and given by Coast Capital Savings to the university with the goal

of inspiring and celebrating future generations of students, graduates and alumni.

The piece aims to reflect the profound connection to the artist's First Nations culture and heritage and took thousands of hours to design and produce.

Vickers created 22 original images referencing students, teachers, the natural and spirit worlds, and the architecture of VIU and has presented them within the context of the knowledge that has flowed forward through the elders from the beginning of time.

The suite will take pride of place at VIU's convocation ceremonies for the first time June 1, 2 and 3 and at the trades graduation ceremony on June 19.

As graduates walk up to receive their degrees they will leave their imprint on the ancient wood leaving a lasting legacy of their own achievements - their own story - on the box.

Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon was part of the ceremony, which also included Snuneymuxw First Nation representatives and a number of VIU officials and closed with a performance by the Tzinquaw Dancers.