Ravens a favourite subject for ferry artist

The raven will slice through the waters of the Southern Gulf Islands this year when B.C. Ferries’ third natural-gas-powered vessel goes into service.

The public got a first glimpse of the Salish Raven on Thursday when Coast Salish artist Thomas Cannell’s design was unveiled. It features ravens at each end of the vessel.

Cannell said the bird has always been his favourite to draw and study.

“Their strength lies in recognizing opportunity, and I love the profuse beaks on these powerful intelligent birds,” he said. “I have tried to capture this enormous sense of being within my design concept for Salish Raven.”

The Salish Raven is one of three Salish-class vessels B.C. Ferries had built in Poland.

The ferries are 105 metres long and can each carry 145 vehicles and 600 passengers. They cost a total of about $200 million.

“It’s a great honour to have my own design crossing the Salish Sea to distant ancient villages the way my ancestors used to do, although much more frequently,” said Cannell, a member of the Musqueam First Nation.

“I am grateful for the desire of British Columbians to showcase our rich cultural history so proudly, for visitors and residents of the Coast Salish territories.”

Mike Corrigan, president of B.C. Ferries, said Cannell’s raven is great addition to the Salish Class vessels. Each ferry is adorned with First Nations art.

“Throughout this project, we’ve had the privilege to work with three extremely talented artists, and we are very impressed with the way the different designs reflect Coast Salish art,” he said.

Esquimalt artist Darlene Gait designed the pod of orcas that adorn the Salish Orca, while the art for the Salish Eagle was done by John Marston of the Stz’uminus First Nation.

The Salish Orca, the first of the ferries to be built, arrived in B.C. in January after a 50-day journey from Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland. It is scheduled to be in operation by early spring on the Powell River-Comox route.

The Salish Eagle and Salish Raven will leave Poland in the coming weeks, to begin service to the Southern Gulf Islands this year.

B.C. FERRIES Artist Thomas Cannell and B.C. Ferries president and CEO Mike Corrigan unveil a rendering of the new Salish Raven ferry on Thursday. The artwork on the ferry features ravens at both ends of the vessel.