Stan Bevan (b.1961) is an established Northwest Coast Artist recognized for his superbly innovative design and his impeccable attention to detail. Born in Terrace, BC, Stan was raised in the nearby village of Kitselas on the Skeena River. He is Tahltan-Tlingit through his mother’s side and her home village is Telegraph Creek, BC. His father is Tsimshian from the village of Kitselas. Stan was inspired to pursue an artistic career by his uncle, Dempsey Bob, one of the foremost master artists of this generation.
Stan began his training at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art at ‘Ksan in Hazelton in 1979, after which he completed an extensive apprenticeship with Dempsey. During his apprenticeship, Stan assisted Dempsey with a number of major commissions, including a 31-foot pole in Ketchikan, Alaska and a 12-foot house post in Saxman village. In 1987 after participating in the exhibit, “Hands of Creation”, he made the important decision to become a full-time artist. Since that time Stan has produced an impressive body of work and is credited with bringing about a revival of Tlingit art and design.
In 2006, Stan was instrumental in the creation of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art on the campus of the Northwest Community College (now Coast Mountain College) in Terrace. He has held the position of head instructor/program coordinator where he leads the program management and curriculum delivery while overseeing numerous initiatives such as a visiting artist program and creating an international educational network. Stan is part of the Bill Holm Advisory Board and has been an active board member for the YVR (Vancouver International Airport) Foundation which oversees grants for young artists completed under the mentorship of a master artist and the opportunity to have their work displayed at the airport as part of the Artist Showcase. He has served as a mentor for numerous artists who have been chosen to receive one of their grants.
One of Stan’s most significant projects has been the design and creation of the artwork at the Kitselas Cultural and Interpretation Centre at the Kitselas Canyon National Historic site for the Kitselas Development Corporation. He has carved many totem poles for private, corporate and international sites including The Emily Carr University of Art and Design and the MACP Office Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stan Bevan was recognized in 2011 with the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art.
