Student designs re-visioned mascot for City Central Learning Centre

The City Central Learning Centre (CCLC) Coyotes have a new design for their mascot, made in-house by one of their own students.

Ryan Hughes, a Grade 12 CCLC student and member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, was commissioned by principal Doug Litke to create a re-visioned logo for the school, capturing the coyote in an Indigenous style with rich blue-grey tones. The two first crossed paths when Hughes attended the First Nations Westcoast Carving Course at Queen Elizabeth Continuing Education while Litke was principal there.

“He started the carving program that got me into doing art, so he thought it was really cool that I was super into it,” said Hughes. “He said, ‘I like your art, it’s really cool,’ and he told me what he wanted. I took a picture of the logo and Indigenized it.”

The mascot now hangs outside of the office by the front door and is among the first things people see entering the learning centre.

Hughes said his artwork is inspired by other Indigenous artists such as Chase Grey, Joe Wilson and Maynard Johnny Jr. But his artistic style, he says, is largely about representing himself as an individual, using creativity as a vehicle for self-expression.

“Everything I do in my life is a form of art – even when I was younger, I was always expressing myself in one way or another,” he said, listing martial arts and skateboarding as other outlets. “Just creating things and being creative is what I thrive on doing.

“Honestly, a lot of the time before I start something, if I don’t know what I’m going to do, I just do it. I didn’t really have a vision until I started. I like everything to flow together and I go with what I’m feeling – it’s a really unique feeling when I know something’s looking how I want it to, and I just keep going with that.”

Another piece by Ryan Hughes, designed to welcome CCLC students at the front of the school.

In addition to the mascot, Hughes designed another painting, depicting a scenic design of the sun and mountains, intended to welcome students and staff to the school every day.

“I wanted it to look alive and flowing, I like to portray energy or whatever I’m feeling and trying to represent,” he said. “I want it to be a really welcoming place for everybody to learn and grow.”

Looking ahead to life after graduation, Hughes said he aspires to pursue art, with the hope of getting an apprenticeship with a Coast Salish artist and to learn more about his culture. He also wants his artwork to be inspirational for others after he’s left the learning centre.

“I hope that the kids, especially those with Indigenous backgrounds, will try something to do with their culture,” he said. “Don’t be shy, just jump right in and go out and do stuff. I want everybody to be into it as much as I am, whether it’s just doing drawings or being involved in the culture and embracing it.”