Joshua Prescott

Joshua was born in Victoria, BC in January 1982.  His cultural origin is Cree/Metis from the Canadian Prairies but he has lived on Vancouver Island for more than half his life.  Joshua graduated from Victoria High School where he was first introduced to Native art through a program offered at the school.

From grades 9 through 12 Joshua was taught by Victor Newman, a Kwakwaka’wakw artist from Fort Rupert, BC.  During this time Joshua also worked with his uncle, Greg Prescott, who is a Northwest Coast style wood carver.  Joshua was awarded the graduation prize and highest honors as the outstanding native art student for the who district in the year 2000.  Newman also introduced Joshua to John Livingston with the hope Joshua would apprentice with him.  He worked under the tutelage and as an assistant to John Livingston from 1999 to 2006.  During this time Joshua worked for or with such artists as Calvin Hunt, Eugene Hunt, Peter Grant, Art Thompson and Rande Cook.

Joshua excels in detailed carving and painting and he prides himself on clean craftsmanship.  He produces masks, drums, canoe paddles, bentwood boxes and wall panels in Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Yew, Alder and Maple.

Joshua is currently living in Port Alberni, BC along with his wife and child.  Joshua’s wife Eva, has started a non-profit organization called the Nuu Chah Nulth Cultural Society.  The goal of the non-profit society is to keep the Nuu Chah Nulth language alive and they are learning the central dialect from Eva’s grandmother, Katie Fraser of the Tia-O-Qui-Aht First Nation.  Katie has her Masters in education and an undergraduate degree in linguistics.  Joshua feels it is very important to teach the youth about their culture and that language, land, art, culture and people are all one.