Welcome internationally acclaimed photographer Matika Wilbur to the Smartsheet Community 👋

Hello Community, 

We’re thrilled to introduce you to internationally acclaimed photographer and Project 562 founder, Matika Wilbur from the Swinomish and Tulalip Peoples. Matika’s the first artist-in-residence for The First Residence — the first-ever artist residency hosted by the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena. 

“The Salmon People” curated by Matika Wilbur

In collaboration with renowned Puyallup artist Shaun Peterson, Matika merges the tradition of Coast Salish art practice with illustrations, video, regalia, projection mapping, and motion tracking to create a playful underwater world in which salmon appear to follow people as they walk by. When activated, the salmon transform into a beautiful Coast Salish Salmon Dance. 

"The Salmon People" urges onlookers to consider the human impacts on salmon habitat and climate change." For thousands of years the Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest have organized their lives around the management and return of the Salmon People who are considered relatives. Exponential population growth and urbanization has diminished healthy habitats for the Salmon People, with whom Coast Salish Natives have thrived in reciprocity for generations. Matika’s installation invites us to consider how we can be better stewards of Salmon. It will take all of us to create a world that upholds the continuity of the Salmon People.

About Matika Wilbur

As co-host of the podcast All My Relations, Matika invites listeners to explore relationships with land, cultural relatives, and to one another. She’s also the founder and photographer of Project 562, a national photography project focused on highlighting over 562 federally recognized tribes, journeying more than 400,000 miles in pursuit of one goal — to change the way we see Native America. Her highly anticipated book, “Project 562: Changing The Way We See Native America” will be on shelves in spring 2023.

What’s The First Residence?

An official presenting partner of Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken, Smartsheet centers Indigenous art and ecological knowledge through the lens of internationally acclaimed photographer, Matika Wilbur. Given their ambitious green initiatives and progressive social stances, Climate Change Arena and the Seattle Kraken are no strangers to work that matters. And now, with The First Residence, a first-of-its-kind partnership has arrived at a first-of-its-kind arena.

Show your support

1) The First Residence badge

We really appreciate your support for the First Residence and Matika Wilbur. While the associated badge is no longer available, we invite you to continue exploring her work, and to join the conversation in the comments below.

2) Enter for a chance to win Matika’s book 

You have a chance to win to “Project 562: Changing The Way We See Native America” when it’s released! Matika’s installation invites us to consider how we can be better stewards of the Salmon People, and we’re bringing the conversation to you! Learn more about the collaborative exhibition curated by Matika and reflect on its themes with any of these prompts: How does Matika's art make you feel? or Tell us about a piece of art that has had an impact on you. Share your response in the Show & Tell topic using the hashtag #TheFirstResidence to be entered to win -- we'll be selecting 3 winners at random each month between now through April 28th. See complete giveaway rules below.