Artwork from Kevin Pee-Ace of Kelvingtion and the Yellowquill First Nation will be proudly displayed at the Saskatoon YMCA, after an unveiling Monday.

Pee-Ace titled the painting “United in Family” and he says family is a central unifying theme, not just in the artwork he does, but in a lot of aspects of his life. He adds through the use of colour he hopes to show that theme and the painting is meant to be positive with a representation of community. Pee-Ace’s current style is reminiscent of beadwork and is a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.

Serena Dallas, YMCA Marketing and Philanthropy Director, says having Kevin’s artwork represented is hopefully just the first of many pieces of cultural artwork at the YMCA. By having local artists works represented, she adds, it’s meant to inspire the community that the YMCA is a place for everyone.

Dallas says Pee-Ace has been a supporter of the YMCA for years, especially with their strong kids program. She says he was a natural person for them to reach out to and have something that represents culturally Indigenous people at the “Y” and provides more diversity and inclusion.