Sylvia Houle and her show "The Stories We Share" will be showcased at Ely's Historic State Theater as the May installment of our 2023 Art Show Season. Their work will be shown from May 15 to 28 at the Historic State Theater in downtown Ely, MN. We will announce the reception for the artist and their work later! A word from the artist: "Sylvia Houle grew up far away from Turtle Mountain Reservation. Thus, she needed Anishinaabe cultural teachings to guide her as she grew up, often leaving her feeling alone and misplaced without understanding why. Ultimately, her thirst for knowledge and the never-ending journey to better understand where she comes from motivates her work. Born in Northern California, I grew up far away from the Turtle Mountain Reservation. Thus, I did not have any of the Anishinaabe cultural teachings to guide me as I grew up, often leaving me feeling alone and misplaced without understanding why. In the past few years, I have been using my artwork to process whatever I learn about my heritage and culture combined with my life's journey through various art mediums, primarily soft pastels, and charcoal on black or colored surfaces. Ultimately, my thirst for knowledge, the challenge of improving my artistic skills, and the never-ending journey to understand where I come from, where I stand in life, and what motivates and inspires me to create my work."