COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS
See how we work and contribute within our community.
AY LELUM x CITY OF NANAIMO
Manhole Covers Design
Nanaimo streets are set to be adorned with functional art – new manhole covers designed by Snuneymuxw artists.
The City of Nanaimo is collaborating with Ay Lelum - The Good House of Design and Joel Good to honour Snuneymuxw First Nation culture with three new utility covers, which “serve as a unique canvas for Snuneymuxw art,” according to a city press release.
The storm cover design features two supernatural eagles, representing strength and protection; the new sanitary cover design shows a frog due to their ability to purify natural water sources; and the water cover design highlights an orca, symbolizing power and strength.
“From an ancestral lens, art holds important knowledge and reminds us of our connection and responsibilities to the natural world. We extend our gratitude to our Snuneymuxw artists who generously share their gifts with the community,” noted Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse in the release.
According to the release, the new utility covers will be installed in the city over the coming months and years, aiming to provide residents and visitors with the opportunity to experience Snuneymuxw art throughout Nanaimo. The city noted, in an e-mail, that only new installations will receive the new covers and there is no intent to replace all existing covers with the designs.
COLLABORATIONS
& PARNERSHIPS
AY LELUM x COURTYARD MARRIOT
Interior Art and Decor
Guestroom Murals, Fitness Centre Mural, Spindle Whorl in Lobby, Front Desk Textile Art and Images Throughout the Hotel
The hotel has the benefit of being located on culturally significant land where the beloved, and now extinct, Wool Dogs were cared for by the Snuneymuxw people. In recognition of this, the hotel has integrated site-specific Snuneymuxw art throughout its design, including in its guest rooms and public spaces. Ay Lelum The Good House of Design was selected for the project and worked in conjunction with the PEG and Marriott team. Featured Snuneymuxw artists include Joel Good, Dr. William Good, Sandra Moorhouse-Good, Aunalee Boyd-Good, Sophia Seward-Good, and Thea Harris.
"Our goal was to create an immersive and one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates Snuneymuxw culture and the unique history of the land on which the hotel is located," says Aunalee Boyd-Good. "Our family of artists is honored to share the profound connection between art, place and history with hotel guests."
AY LELUM x MISMACK COSMETICS
MisMacK x Ay Lelum ART Palette
We are unveiling a collaboration that celebrates the vibrant connection between clean cosmetics and Indigenous art and culture. We are thrilled to introduce the MisMacK x Ay Lelum ART Palette—a core piece of MisMacK that embodies the spirit of creativity and cultural richness with Ay Lelum Traditional Coast Salish art.
ART Palette
This collaboration features the extraordinary artwork of Dr. William Good, the Snuneymuxw First Nation Master artist and Father of the Ay Lelum Sisters. His iconic Spindle Whorl designs on the Palette are in in the Traditional Coast Salish style and have four coordinating shadow colors. Each eyeshadow shade is a canvas that pays homage to the depth and beauty of his designs, rich in heritage and symbolism. These Palettes are also available individually to customize and build your perfect color choices, including the limited coordinating shadows.
Four New Matching ART Shadows
The palette features four breathtaking ART Shadows meticulously crafted to mirror the vibrancy and spirit of Ay Lelum's cultural legacy, as well as their connection to the land and water. Inspired by the nature they see daily on the Snuneymuxw First Nation, Salmon, Sky Blue, Sun Beam and Raven capture the essence of life on the Nanaimo River and Coast Salish art.
AY LELUM x CITY OF NANAIMO
Transitions Lenses Brand Partnership
We have had the amazing opportunity to partner with Transitions Canada and Transitions Lenses on a number of projects as part of their commitment to diversity and inclusion within the optical industry in Canada!
We collaborated on a video as part of the "Transitions Shines the Spotlight” campaign that premiered at Transitions Academy in Orlando, Florida in June 2022 for their 1000 member audience and launched on social media. There was also an offline component in the form of microfibre lens cleaning cloths with artwork by our brother Joel Good, distributed to eyecare professionals across Canada.
We had the pleasure of dressing the 2020 & 2021 Canadian Innovation Award winners and finalists for the Fashion Show at the Canadian Cocktail Reception at Transitions Academy. We also dressed the event host, Maimi-based TV host and actress, Miriam Isa, who referred to Transitions as an "amazing, inclusive, cutting edge brand" on her social media. In featuring cultural diversity, Transitions also included our young men, Trystan and Ray as Indigenous models at the show.
Everyone got to walk the red carpet in Ay Lelum and to our music, with coordinating Transitions Lenses Style Colors, Gen8, XtrActive, Signature lenses and Mirrors. There were also Giggy's Beads earrings to compliment these unique and colorful pairings, creating the ultimate in Canadian style ~ with Coast Salish Fashion, Eyewear and beaded earrings.
