Leonard Scow
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Masks
Leonard Scow, of the Kwicksutaineuk/Ah/Kwaw/Ah/Mish Nation, was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia in May 1962. He is the son of Rupert and Sarah Scow. Sarah’s grandfather was Mungo Martin. Rupert was the son of Chief Scow of Gilford Island. His family crests include the bear, thunderbird, zoonogwa, and sisuitl. Together, Rupert and Sarah had 7 boys, and Leonard was in the middle.
As a teenager, Len and his family moved back to the west coast. He had a variety of jobs over the years. In his 20’s, after working on building log homes for a few years he moved back to Alert Bay. He began a carving course, under the tutelage of Wayne Alfred, Shawn Carps, Don Swanvick, and Vince Shaughnessy. Len was a quick learner, and was soon carving masks, totem poles, and a canoe. After three years of learning the intricate skills of carving, Leonard moved to Vancouver and was soon selling his work to art galleries throughout the Lower Mainland. He is happy now to be again living close to the wildness in the Lake Cowichan area of Vancouver Island.