A prolific northwestern B.C. carver has been named to the Order of British Columbia.
Stan Bevan from the Kitselas First Nation was one of 15 named Aug. 4, 2025 to the order.
Over 46 years Bevan has undertaken numerous commissions for public installations and private collections.
The Order of British Columbia is the province's highest honour and in naming Bevan as a recipient, the province cited "his cultural leadership, mastery as a carver and pioneering contributions to education that shaped a generation of Northwest Coast First Nations artists."
Bevan was a co-founder of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art at Coast Mountain College in 2006 and while retired from the school, remains as an advisor.
He also sits on an advisory board overseeing grants for young First Nations artists who then have their works displayed at the Vancouver International Airport.
Four years ago, Bevan was presented the lifetime achievement award by the B.C. Achievement Foundation.
Speaking at an event in Terrace Aug. 1, 2025 where he was named as the Riverboat Days 2025 Ambassador, Bevan said that when given the opportunity, it is important to do your best.
"I'm still telling stories in a contemporary way," he said.
Bevan's most recent work is Su-gigyet, a large art piece placed in the middle of the Hwy16/37 roundabout in Thornhill, B.C. in late July.
At the Riverboat Days event, Bevan acknowledged the work of three assistants - Brian McKee, Toby Antoine and Sarah Medeiros - in producing the piece. Su-gigyet translates as 鈥渘ew people鈥� in the Sm鈥檃lgyax language of the Ts鈥檓syen people.
Bevan's work is also on display at the Kitselas Canyon Historic Site.
