Correction: This story has been updated. It originally included incorrect photos.
By Megan Guido | FāVS News Reporter
Recent University of Idaho graduate Claire Rae Edmo has been selected as the second sƛ̓x̣etkʷ Artist-in-Residence at Spokane Falls Community College.
The annual program supports cultural preservation, empowerment, community building and professional growth for artists. The program is focused on highlighting Native American artists in the Pacific Northwest. Each residency term is three months and includes lodging, artist stipends, and state of the art studio space within sƛ̓x̣etkʷ Fine and Applied Arts Building 32. Ska-hét (sƛ̓x̣etkw) means “fast waters” or “Spokane Falls” in Salish. The name recognizes that the building sits on Indigenous land.
Edmo, who earned a degree in Fine Arts at UI, applied for the artist-in-residence program upon the suggestion of one of her professors.
“And I got it,” said Edmo.”It was a surprising, wonderful beginning.”
Edmo plans to continue her career as an artist, working with a variety of mediums, including painting, beading, relief printmaking, and paper weaving. Her website says she also utilizes thread and buckskin to create collages.
Her goal is to get a Masters in Fine Art and to teach.
“Right now I just want to build my portfolio,” said Edmo.
Five pieces of Edmo’s work are currently on display at the gallery at Spokane Falls through Feb 10.
Cozette Phillips, gallery director and fine arts instructor, was herself an artist-in-residence. She started the sƛ̓x̣etkw Artist-in-Residence program at Spokane Falls Community College.
“Our students can learn from this residency program and I’ve seen the openness to that exchange in dialogue,” Phillips said. “I’ve had lots of conversations with students about what an artist in residence is. Many of them didn’t know they exist.”
Phillips said the main goal is to have the artist-in-residence use the fine arts studio and interact with students and faculty who are also practicing artists. They may also guest lecture in different classes.
Edmo, who grew up off and on Fort Hall Indian Reservation in southeastern Idaho, said her heritage is important to her identity and is reflected in her art.
She is of Shoshone Bannock and Chippewa Cree background.
Edmo said she was influenced by her grandmother who taught her beading and looming.
“I still have the loom that she asked my Dad to make me,” she said.
“I do painting. If it’s landscape, I relate it to my memories of place and with her. I like to share my heritage with others,” Edmo said. “I’m a really shy person and I feel like I can translate my background and can combine, for example, beading with traditional mediums.”
Edmo’s residency ends March 26. Phillips said SFCC will be accepting applications in June for the third round of the Artist-in-Residence program for Winter Quarter 2026. Interested candidates can apply at https://sfcc.spokane.edu/Artist-in-Residence-Program.
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