John Steins
Encyclopedia
John Steins, former Mayor of Dawson City, is an artist and printmaker who lives in Dawson City, Yukon
. He is a wood engraver and makes plate etchings. The son of renowned artist Ilgvars Steins, he worked in advertising as a young man in Toronto
before moving northwest in 1974. He soon settled in Dawson City and has remained there ever since, maintaining an active art practice as well as pursuing other interests.
John has worn many "hats" during his 35 years in the Yukon. He is a founding member of the Dawson Music Festival and the Dawson City Arts Society. John composed music for the guitar and produced a classic northern album called "Midnight Light" which was recorded by Daniel Lanois at Grant Ave. Studios in Hamilton, Ontario.
John designed and constructed his own house which continues to be a ongoing "work in progress". He also is an accomplished woodworker with furniture building skills and worked alongside master shipwright Wayne Loiselle in the restoration of the S.S. Keno paddlewheeler which is dry-docked on the Dawson waterfront.
A very large sculpture installation by John Steins at the Andrew Philipsen Law Court in Whitehorse was commissioned by the Territorial Government in 1987.
Presently John is working at the Yukon School of Visual Art as their Studio Technician. This is a role that supports faculty, staff and the students in fulfilling their respective roles in the program. He considers this to be both challenging and rewarding work that is very much in sync with his private practice as a creative artist.
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
. He is a wood engraver and makes plate etchings. The son of renowned artist Ilgvars Steins, he worked in advertising as a young man in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
before moving northwest in 1974. He soon settled in Dawson City and has remained there ever since, maintaining an active art practice as well as pursuing other interests.
John has worn many "hats" during his 35 years in the Yukon. He is a founding member of the Dawson Music Festival and the Dawson City Arts Society. John composed music for the guitar and produced a classic northern album called "Midnight Light" which was recorded by Daniel Lanois at Grant Ave. Studios in Hamilton, Ontario.
John designed and constructed his own house which continues to be a ongoing "work in progress". He also is an accomplished woodworker with furniture building skills and worked alongside master shipwright Wayne Loiselle in the restoration of the S.S. Keno paddlewheeler which is dry-docked on the Dawson waterfront.
A very large sculpture installation by John Steins at the Andrew Philipsen Law Court in Whitehorse was commissioned by the Territorial Government in 1987.
Presently John is working at the Yukon School of Visual Art as their Studio Technician. This is a role that supports faculty, staff and the students in fulfilling their respective roles in the program. He considers this to be both challenging and rewarding work that is very much in sync with his private practice as a creative artist.