“The Canoe Maker”: Spanish version

El Constructor de Canoas

We are very happy to announce that the Spanish version of the book “The Canoe Maker”, written by Donald Soctomah and Jean Flahive and illustrated by Mari Dieumegard, has been published.

It is a children’s story inspired by the life of David. In this story, David passes on his knowledge of canoe building to Tobias, so that in the future he can share it with his siblings and children. Sabattus and I translated this book to honor David’s memory and spread his teachings to the Spanish-speaking community.

Anthropological paper about David published on Oppositional Conversations by Ph.D. Patricia Ayala

A Life From Two Directions on a Twisted Path: David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy Canoemaker

By Patricia Ayala, Ph.D.

«…David was a celebrated canoemaker, artist, educator, political activist, and cultural protector. He belonged to the Passamaquoddy tribe from the Northeast of the United States, who—along with the Abenaki, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Micmac—are part of the Wabanaki Confederacy…»

See full article in Oppositional Conversations

David’s portrait by Andrew Wyeth

David’s portrait by Andrew Wyeth now in display at the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, Maine.

“One remarkable artist’s portrait of another remarkable artist: master Passamaquoddy canoe maker David Moses Bridges (1962-2017) by master painter Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) at the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, Maine”.

Update:

This is one of the sketches Wyeth did before he did the painting named “threat“, where David and his oldest son Tobias were painted together.

Coastal River Conservation Trust

The Damariscotta River Association and Penequid Land Trust merged and became Coastal River Conservation Trust (Maine). They relocated to Round Top Farm in Damariscotta and named one of their spaces “David Moses Bridges Educational Hall”. This hall has birch floors and ceiling in homage to David and his birch bark artistry.

The David Moses Bridges Education Hall
(Credit: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust)

Post on Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust website:

https://www.coastalrivers.org/home-at-round-top-farm/
(External link)

Congratulations

Congratulations

The first-ever DMB fellow was designated earlier this year, Peter Williams (Yup’ik). Peter was a First People Fund fellow last year as well and was featured in their January 2018 eSPIRIT newsletter.

Here is the link to share that story with you. Peter is receiving a $7,500 grant as part of his fellowship. Congratulations Peter!!

https://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/news/2018/1/23/breaking-into-new-york-fashion-from-alaska?rq=peter%20williams

The David Moses Bridges Collection at the Abbe Museum

In 2015, David loaned to the Abbe Museum a collection of his writings, drawings, paintings, letters, sketchbooks, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, transcripts, publications, planners, basket patterns, watercolors, canoe patterns, Mocuck patterns, etching patterns, maps, canoe plans, stencils, prints, paint palettes, as well as copies of drawings, images, books and designs. His motivation was based on the need for these objects and documents to be in a suitable place for their conservation, inventory and research. After his death in 2017, more objects and documents were included to this collection and the Abbe staff made an inventory. Given David past relation with the Abbe –where he leaded several educational programs, participated in numerous exhibits, built two canoes and was a trusteed-, and his deep appreciation for this institution, we decided to sign a “long-term loan collection” agreement. Now the David Moses Bridges collection is available for artists, researchers and educators who would like to study its items or use them as an inspiration for their own work.

David’s art at the Portland Museum of Art

At the beginning of 2018 a birch bark canoe built by David and Steve Cayard (loaned by the Abbe Museum) was included in the Portland Museum of Art Biennial. This exhibition featured the work of 25 artists, highlighting the diverse perspectives and interests of artists connected to Maine and making a powerful statement about art’s impact in this historical moment. Recently, the Portland Museum of Art acquired one of David’s beautiful baskets for its permanent collection.

The David Moses Bridges artist Scholarship

This year, a generous soul who valued David’s life and work started a scholarship in his honor at the Maine Community Foundation. Family, friends and MCF staff worked together to make this happen. This scholarship is available to artists, researchers and educators inspired by David’s life, values, and artwork. To make this scholarship meaningful, our dear friend Raney Morrison Bench organized a FB Fundraising some weeks ago.

https://www.facebook.com/donate/751855911832569/1034219486760968/

The fundraising is over and exceed its goal! Now you can donate directly to the scholarship at through The Maine Community Foundation at:

http://mainecf.org/Scholarships/DavidMosesBridgesScholarship.aspx