CULTURAL GROUP:
Dene

BIRTHPLACE:
New Westminster, BC

John Velten is a Dene artist from New Westminster, BC who creates beautiful, innovative Northwest Coast artwork in a wide array of media. John has had a lifelong interest in art, but his career officially began when he took up apprenticeship under Alano Edzerza and Rick Adkins in 2016. He has since collaborated with artists such as Phil Gray and Klatle-Bhi. John has undertaken numerous large-scale projects including an installation for the City of Vancouver and Translink, a lantern for LunarFest Vancouver, and a mural for the Vancouver Mural Festival. With a degree in 3D modelling & animation, John is one of a select few artists using modern technology to expand the boundaries of traditional Northwest Coast Indigenous design. He hopes to continue creating, experimenting, and educating long into the future.