Darwin Grey Eyes Legacy Scholarship
This award was established in memory of Darwin Greyeyes — a gifted artist, devoted father, skilled tradesman, and gentle soul who quietly touched many lives in the Kootenays and beyond. Darwin found his artistic voice later in life, returning to art as a form of healing after decades in construction and raising his daughters. Through his time at Selkirk College’s Kootenay Studio Arts, he became known not only for his extraordinary natural talent in blacksmithing and bronze work, but also for his generosity, humility, and deep connection to his Indigenous roots.
Darwin’s art — whether it was a powerful bronze sculpture or a perfectly poured set of concrete stairs — reflected his meticulous nature and profound sense of beauty. His piece “Going Home,” now permanently displayed at Oso Negro Café, captures the spirit of both struggle and return, echoing his own journey of rediscovery and reconnection. He once said that creating art again was “part of [his] healing.” This scholarship honours that journey — his resilience, his creativity, and the quiet strength with which he moved through the world. Read more about Darwin here: The pieces of Darwin Greyeyes – Nelson Star
“It’s nice to have that fire lit inside again. I was lost. This program has been like a godsend. It’s been a blessing. I’m going to look back at starting at Kootenay Studio Arts as the turning point for my new me.” DARWIN GREYEYES, BLACKSMITHING AND BRONZE CASTING GRADUATE
Impact
This fund was created to carry forward Darwin’s legacy by supporting students who, like him, are rediscovering their creative voices, especially those who face personal or systemic challenges along the way. Whether it’s a mature student returning to the classroom, an emerging Indigenous artist, or someone using art as a form of healing — we hope this award gives them the encouragement to keep going, to keep creating.
Darwin often gave his artwork away, not because it had no value, but because the process of creating was what mattered most to him. We hope this fund helps students who are in that same space — passionate about their craft and driven by something deeper than recognition or accolades.
Darwin’s presence lingers in the community — in the stairs he built, the sculptures he left behind, the feathers he cast for Indigenous graduates. Our hope is that this award will not only relieve financial stress but also affirm for recipients that their work, their journey, and their voice matter. Just as Darwin’s did — and still does.