Fraser Valley art lovers have the exciting privilege to view a unique collection of modern First Nations art over the next few months.

Challenging Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast opens June 24 until Oct. 3 at The Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford, with Lt.-Gov. Steven Point at the opening reception on Thursday evening.

The 30 selections representing at least 23 artists are from the original 70-piece exhibit, organized by Vancouver Gallery senior curator and art historian Ian M. Thom for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ont., last July.

The exhibit grew out of Thom's research into the work of contemporary First Nations artists, and his resulting acclaimed book of the same name. The project was commissioned by Vancouver-based philanthropist Michael Audain and funded by the Audain Foundation.

Thom earned accolades for his work last year, as well as an Order of Canada for his "contributions as a curator of Canadian art and as an advocate for British Columbia artists."

Thom's book examines the work of 40 contemporary aboriginal Northwest Coast artists as they fuse their traditions with modern experience and perspective, with photographs and insights from the artists in their own words.

The art reveals not only how tradition enlivens West Coast aboriginal art but also the ways artists move their traditions forward, by reviving old practises and incorporating new, global ideas.

The works were part of the Vancouver 2010 exhibit at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland until April this year. Following that show, the exhibit was going to be dismantled, with the art going back to respective owners.

The Reach curator Scott Marsden has convinced several of the artists to show at Abbotsford's 'A-designation' gallery before that dismantling.

"To my knowledge it's the only Canadian show, and the last venue. It's incredible work, and [the public] won't see it again as a collective show," he said.

There's familiar imagery in the carvings, jewelry, paintings and woodwork, but, there are newcomers added to the old mythology, in the form of new mediums like glass, or abstract expression.

You may see a silver bracelet carved with the image of a raven flying away with a Starbucks cup, or a raven affixed to a wooden Celtic cross, notes the McMichael gallery synopsis.

"It's a show that's challenging tradition ideas of Northwest Coast art. It's looking at artists who are pushing the boundaries," said Marsden.

It's also the gallery's first time to host a national touring show, "and it's fitting it's First Nations work," he added.

- Challenging Traditions opens June 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Point presiding over the ceremonies, a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception and a performance by Sto:lo dance group Semoya. The reception is open to the public, and the exhibit is free. The Reach is at 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford.

LIVE @ THE REACH

In support of the Challenging Traditions art exhibit, on June 26 at 7:30 p.m., The Reach and the Mission Folk Music Festival team up to present Sandy Scofield, Iskwew and Art Napoleon.

The show is a preview of the First Nations artists that will perform at the music festival in July.

Iskwew is a group of talented female vocalists led by award-winning singer/songwriter Sandy Scofield. They perform songs from the Plains, West Coast and northern Interior First Nations traditions.

Art Napoleon is a versatile singer-songwriter. Raised in the Cree tradition in Northern B.C., he can skin a moose with a pocket knife but is better known as one of Canada's great music troubadours.

Anthropologist Gordon Mohs will read from The Sepass Poems - Ancient Songs of Y-Ail-Mihth. They are the legacy of hereditary Chief William K'HHalserten Sepass (1841-1943) of the Chilliwack tribe, an epic collection of ancient creation legends translated from the original Halq'eméylem language into English.

- Tickets for the June 26 show are $15 at The Reach. Call them at call 604-864-8087 or visit www.thereach.ca.