Artist Bio & CV

Karver Everson was born in the Comox Valley, BC in 1993. He is Pentlatch, Komoks and Kwakwakawakw. He carries the Kwakwala name Długwayaxa̱lis, this name comes from the Gigal’gam of the Walas Kwagułl. Influenced greatly by his family’s connection to his cultural heritage, Karver has always been eager to learn and uphold the cultural traditions of both his Pentlatch/K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestors. 

Karver’s passion for art began early in life and First Nations art forms made appearances in his drawings throughout his teenage and young adult life. It was when Karver decided to further his skills working with renowned carvers and at art school that his art practice began to flourish.

Karver was first introduced to carving In the Summer of 2013, his family was preparing to host a potlatch and he was called on to create many ceremonial pieces. He’s been carving ever since and it’s a rare occasion that you don’t see him without a project in his hands. 

Karver has been fortunate to learn from a number of esteemed mentors throughout his artistic journey. He has studied under the guidance of renowned Kwakwaka’wakw carvers Richard Hunt, Calvin Hunt, David Knox, Junior Henderson, Max Chickite, and Rande Cook, each of whom has contributed to the development of his carving practice. His uncle, Andy Everson, has also played a pivotal role in deepening his understanding of Northwest Coast art, particularly the principles of formline and design. Additionally, Haida artist Jesse Brillon has been a significant influence in teaching him the intricate disciplines of engraving, repoussé, and chasing.

Karver earned his Diploma of Fine Arts from North Island College. He went on to further his education at the University of Victoria where he received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in 2020. He wanted to do more work within the institution so he applied for the University of Victoria’s Masters of Fine Arts program. He was accepted, and in the summer of 2022 graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts Degree. 

He is grateful to all the people who have helped him throughout his life and wouldn't be where he is today without their love and support. 

Gilakas’la.

 

Karver Everson

Pentlatch, K’ómoks, and Kwakwaka’wakw
Indigenous Artist
Born 1993

Education

2022 — Master of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, BC
2020 — Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, BC
2016 — Diploma of Fine Arts, North Island College, Comox, BC
2011 — High School Diploma, Highland Secondary School

Ongoing (2014–Present) — Apprenticeship and mentorship with artists Richard Hunt, Calvin Hunt, Junior Henderson, David Knox, Rande Cook, Max Chickite, and Andy Everson. Mentorship in repoussé, chasing, and metal engraving with Haida artist Jesse Brillon.

Solo Exhibitions

2022 — Nawiła’atsi – MFA Thesis Exhibition, Comox Valley, BC

Selected Group Exhibitions

2022 — From Here On, Victoria Arts Council, Victoria, BC
2022 — Arts Alive Graduate Showcase, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, University of Victoria Fine Arts, Victoria, BC
2021 — Continuum MFA Showcase, University of Victoria Fine Arts, Victoria, BC
2021 — Double Bubble MFA Showcase, University of Victoria Fine Arts, Victoria, BC
2021 — Finding Sybil, Campbell River Art Gallery, Campbell River, BC
2020 — I’tusto – Rising Again, Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery (with master carver Calvin Hunt), Comox, BC
2019 — One Tree Exhibition (with luthier Reuben Forsland), showcasing the One Tree Bear Guitar, Robert Bateman Gallery, Victoria, BC
2018 — Potlatch 67–67: The Potlatch Ban – Then and Now, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Comox, BC
2018 — Masters of Disguise IV, Stonington Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2017 — Masters of Disguise III, Stonington Gallery, Seattle, WA, USA
2015 — One Tree Exhibition (with Reuben Forsland), showcasing the One Tree Raven Guitar, Robert Bateman Gallery, Victoria, BC

Solo Installations

2019 — Thunderbird and Killer Whale Pole, Qualicum Child Care Centre, Qualicum, BC
2019 — Thunderbird, Chief, Sun, and I’hos Pole, K’ómoks First Nation Totem Pole Project, Courtenay Airpark, Comox, BC
2019 — Thunderbird and Whale Panel, G.P. Vanier Secondary School, Comox, BC
2017 — Thunderbird and Double-Headed Sea Serpent Pole, Hornby Island (K’ómoks First Nation Totem Pole Project), Hornby Island, BC
2016 — Thunderbird and Human Pole, K’ómoks Graveyard (Totem Pole Project), Comox, BC
2015 — Two Welcome Figures with Killer Whales, Courtenay Elementary School, Comox, BC

Group Installations & Collaborative Works

2025 — Galgapołala, 32-ft Dugout Canoe, in collaboration with Max Chickite, Junior Henderson & carving team for Nanwakolas Council, Sayward, BC
2025 — Arbourglyph of Man Figure on living old-growth cedar, with Jaylen Price & James Kwaksistala, Xwasam, Sayward, BC
2024 — Repainting Kumugwe Big House, with David Knox & Junior Henderson, Comox, BC
2024 — Namaxsala, 31-ft Dugout Canoe, with Max Chickite & Junior Henderson for Nanwakolas Council, Sayward, BC
2023 — Two 14-ft Welcome Poles for the Kwaxdzidas Project (in collaboration with Dawn to Dawn), with Junior Henderson, Cumberland, BC
2022 — Thunderbird, Chief Figure, and Sisuitl, with Junior Henderson, Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, Comox, BC
2022 — Welcome Figure, Raven, and Guardian Pole with Spindle Whorls, with Calvin Hunt for Tla’amin Nation, Powell River, BC
2022 — Eagle, Killer Whale, and Guardian Pole with Spindle Whorls, with Calvin Hunt for Tla’amin Nation, Powell River, BC
2018 — Two Guardian and Whale Poles, with Calvin Hunt & Randy Frank, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Comox, BC
2015 — Puntledge Campground Guardian Poles, with Calvin Hunt & Randy Frank, K’ómoks First Nation Totem Pole Project, Comox, BC
2015 — Goose Spit Guardian Pole, with Calvin Hunt & Randy Frank, K’ómoks First Nation Totem Pole Project, Comox, BC
2015 — Youth Art, Design, and Print Program, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Comox, BC
2014 — Thunderbird and Whale Pole, under Calvin Hunt, K’ómoks First Nation Administration Building, Comox, BC
2014 — Bear and Sun Pole, under Calvin Hunt, K’ómoks First Nation Administration Building, Comox, BC

Artist Talks

2018 — Guest Speaker, Potlatch 67–67: The Potlatch Ban – Then and Now, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Comox, BC
2016 — Guest Speaker, Where is Here? Small Cities, Deep Mapping, Sustainable Futures, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Comox, BC

Community Involvement & Certifications

Kumugwe Dance Group — Member, 1999–Present
Get On Board — Member, 2014–Present
Comox Valley Art Gallery — Board Member, 2013–2017
First Nations Youth Conference — Speaker, 2014
Hiiye’Yu Lelum Friendship Centre — Volunteer, 2012–2013
Victoria Shamrocks (Junior A Lacrosse) — Player, 2013
Cowichan Capitals (BCHL Hockey) — Player, 2011–2013