Touch of Culture: Spirit of the West Coast by Himikalas Pamela Baker
Partnership with the Ferry Building Gallery
The Ferry Building Gallery is thrilled to present "Touch of Culture: Spirit of the West Coast," an exhibition featuring the fashion of artist and designer Himikalas Pamela Baker. This exhibit will highlight her final dresses and evening wear, showcasing one-of-a-kind pieces that narrate the historical journey of Himikalas as a fashion designer. Her innovative techniques, such as laser cutting and sublimation, create distinctive and captivating textile designs.
Visitors can also explore a shop area featuring Himikalas’ porcelain jewellery, leather earrings and bracelets, and ready-to-wear items like scarves, ponchos, kimonos, and leather vessels.
Himikalas Pamela Baker is also the featured artist for the 2024 Harmony Arts Festival.
About the Artist
Artist. Entrepreneur. Fashion Designer. Squamish, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw / Kwakiutl, / Tlingit ancestry. Owner of Touch of Culture, TOC Legends House of Design
Highly accomplished Indigenous Artist and Designer with 45 years of traditional knowledge and teachings of her family lineage and teachings. Himikalas is a successful entrepreneur, and owner-operator of Touch of Culture, TOC Legends Designs. For the past 31 years, she has garnered extensive experience in Fashion Design, Fashion show production, marketing, retailing, coaching, production and delegation of an array of art projects including the design of clothing and jewelry.
Since the age of five, Himikalas has practiced her traditions and culture, and utilizes these traditional teachings, incorporating them in all her designs and projects. It’s her lifelong commitment to continue to study and create work inspired by her ancestors.
Himikalas has been awarded prestigious awards, N.A.M.S.B (menswear), the Arthur Gilbert Award, the top award in Evening wear, the 2023 Industry Innovator Award, and VFW. In addition is presently hired as a residence Designer at Kwantlen University, Wilson School of Design and has received recognition as a renowned First Nations Fashion Designer. In the fall of 2024, Himikalas was invited to be a residence artist at IAIA, New Mexico in the fall of 2024.
After receiving a degree in fashion design and, a BFA from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles in 1998, she returned to Canada to share her skills and teaching and continues to mentor youth.
- Opening Reception: Friday, August 2, 6-8 p.m.
- Artist Talk: Saturday, August 3, 3-4 p.m.
- Farsi Tour: Sunday, August 18, 3 p.m.