The path to becoming an artist doesn’t always follow a straight line. After pursuing graphic design at another college, Lacey King-Smith didn't feel the fit was right. “I didn’t love the constant competition,” they said. “I just love doing my own thing, creating my own art on my own terms.”
Little did they know it would be Mohawk College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program that would reignite their artistic spark thanks, in part, to the children they worked with. “They’d say, ‘Lacey, this is so good!’” they recalled. “It was the kids who really helped.”
From drawing with children to building relationships, Lacey discovered their voice as an artist. Now, as the artist behind the logo for Mohawk College’s Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge and Learning (CIRKL), their story has come full circle (pun intended!).
The opportunity to create the CIRKL logo came unexpectedly through a social media post, but it’s a role that felt meant to be. “I submitted some of my pieces and I got an email right away.”
Art has always been a part of Lacey’s life, and their heritage as a First Nations Two-Spirited person shapes the work they create. Their work is deeply inspired by nature and Indigenous teachings, something reflected in the CIRKL logo’s design.
The design concept—featuring a strawberry plant— holds significance for many Indigenous communities. Strawberry, also known as ode’min or “heart berry” in the Ojibwe language (Anishnaabemowin) is a medicine plant that is a first food in spring and reminds us of renewal and growth during the change of season. The strawberry plant is used traditionally as a food, medicine tea and in ceremonies. It carries many teachings about how we are to live and cooperate. The berry reminds us that both the bitter and the sweet are part of life, and teaches us to accept them both.
The strawberry carries great significance for the Haudenosaunee as well. According to the Creation Story, Skywoman carried the strawberry plant when she fell from the Skyworld onto the turtle’s back. It was one of the first plants that grew here. The strawberry is considered to be the leader of all fruits. Strawberries announce the beginning of the summer season, and ceremonies are held to provide gratitude for their return. Similarly, CIRKL brings new learning and growth to the college by building connections to Indigenous knowledge and teachings within all areas of our learning community.
“I love natural colours. I try to use as much as I can in my art. My heritage... it just comes naturally like breathing,” says Lacey.
Connection and belonging was central to Lacey’s time at Mohawk College. They often spent time in the Indigenous Student Services space, where they found community and support. “It was a nice place to just be,” they remember.
Since graduating, Lacey’s art has continued to gain recognition. Their work has been featured at TELUS’s corporate office in Toronto, and they have big dreams ahead including creating a children’s book series in Anishinaabemowin.
When asked what it means to have their artwork featured at the college they graduated from, Lacey said “I feel honoured. It brings me back to when I was in my program. I really did enjoy the program, and I love the stuff that was [taught] in the early childhood education program. It's really nice to kind of go back.”
What can future students learn from Lacey? Bring your whole self into everything you do and be true to who you are. Lacey offers this advice: “Take your time. You’re not going to get there right away... Don’t compare yourself to others. Just do what you want to do and bring your own voice.”
