At just 12 years old, Summer Cannell helped create her first piece of public art.

Working alongside her grandmother, renowned Coast Salish artist Susan Point, she contributed to People of the Grass II, a large public artwork installed at the leləm̓ Community Centre just outside the UBC Vancouver campus.

For Summer, the experience was an early glimpse into how art can connect people with Coast Salish culture—and how public spaces can become places of storytelling.

“I’ve always been a very creative person,” she says. “My public installations have a huge focus on Musqueam culture. It’s always been my goal to share that with people and help them learn in a respectful way.”

Today, Summer is a second-year visual arts student at UBC Vancouver, continuing to build her artistic voice while studying on the traditional territory of her own Nation.

“As a Musqueam person, being able to study at UBC is really important to me,” she says. “Feeling connected to this place really helps my creativity happen.”

Art has always been part of Summer’s life. In addition to her grandmother, her father, Thomas Cannell, is also a renowned Coast Salish artist. With a studio attached to the family home, she spent her childhood watching large public artworks take shape just steps from her door.

Their influence helped shape how Summer sees her role as an artist today—not only creating work, but sharing culture in ways that invite curiosity and understanding.

Support from donors has played a crucial role in her journey. Receiving the Presidential Scholars Award made it possible to pursue her studies and artistic ambitions.

“It’s taken off a huge financial burden and given me the opportunity to come to UBC and continue my passion for art,” she says.

As a visual arts undergrad, she has been exploring a range of artistic mediums—from collage and sculpture to digital work and painting. The experience has helped her expand her skills and discover new techniques.

“UBC allows me to try a bunch of different mediums that I wouldn’t usually try,” she says. “Through that, I’ve developed way more technique.”

One of her most memorable projects came a few years ago, when she created artwork for a fire truck at Vancouver International Airport as part of a truth and reconciliation initiative. The design featured eight powerful symbols from Coast Salish culture.

“There are six thunderbirds on the sides of the truck and two on the back,” Summer explains. “In my culture, the thunderbird represents protection and brings water—which I thought was very fitting for a fire truck.”

The response to the piece surprised her.

“I had people coming up to me with tears in their eyes,” she says. “They said it was really impactful. I could have never expected that kind of response.”

Already, Summer has created 11 public art installations across the Lower Mainland—each one helping bring Coast Salish stories and symbols into shared community spaces. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue creating public artwork that invites people to learn more about Musqueam culture.

“I want my artwork to be something everyone can appreciate,” she says. “I hope it sparks curiosity and encourages people to keep learning.”

Through her studies at UBC—and with support from donors—Summer is continuing a Coast Salish artistic tradition, while finding her own voice through public art.