Issue link: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/1531322
7 GEORGIANVIEW DIGITAL WINTER 2024-25 2024 PREMIER'S AWARDS "Georgian was the last missing piece of the puzzle for me. I've always wanted to work with wood but had never given myself that opportunity. With the new hands-on skills and techniques that Georgian provided, I was able to blend my sculpture and design background with my experience in stonemasonry and now woodworking to become a truly well-rounded artist, craftsman and business owner, telling stories that not only captivate and inspire but inform and educate." Putting this training into practice through his stonemasonry company, Stone Artisan Studios Ltd., King has become highly sought-after for those seeking art that goes beyond and far deeper than aesthetics to tell stories of cultural significance. From prominent installations at the University of Toronto to his one-of-a-kind display case for the sacred Eagle Feather used at Georgian's Convocation celebrations, King continues to redefine how traditional craftsmanship intersects with contemporary art and cultural preservation. As his reputation rose, so did the number of projects he undertook, with the largest recently unveiled at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square in 2024. As part of a nationwide response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 82, King was enlisted to create a sculpture that would recognize and commemorate the victims and survivors of Canada's residential schools. The final product—a 10-ton limestone snapping turtle representing strength and resilience—is now a permanent fixture alongside other works in the Square's new Spirit Garden. And there is no end to the powerful storytelling this esteemed Indigenous artist and Georgian alumnus has become known for. In 2025, King will take on new projects in Collingwood and at Toronto's waterfront while continuing to impart his expertise and passion to aspiring stonemasons following in his footsteps. King's journey exemplifies the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning, a cornerstone of Georgian's commitment to education. By combining two distinct specialties to craft thought-provoking creations, he is telling stories that will endure in the Canadian consciousness for generations and contribute to a lasting legacy of Indigenous culture and stories nationwide. | Kevin Weaver, President and CEO, Georgian College was proud to see Solomon's work first hand at Nathan Phillips Square.